Health experts urge parents to avoid glycerol-based slushies for young children

Researchers are urging that children should completely avoid "slushy" ice drinks containing glycerol until they are at least eight years old, following a study that examined cases of 21 children aged two to seven in the UK and Ireland who required emergency treatment after consuming these drinks.

These brightly colored slushy beverages are designed to attract children, but many contain glycerol, a naturally occurring sweetener that prevents the drinks from freezing solid and creates the slushy texture. Current guidance from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) states that children under five should avoid slushies entirely, while those under 11 should limit themselves to one.

The concern arises from the potential for glycerol intoxication, which can occur if a young child consumes a slushy too quickly. This can lead to serious health issues, including shock, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and loss of consciousness.

In the study, published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, all participating children became acutely ill within an hour of drinking slushies, primarily between 2018 and 2024. Symptoms included:

Fortunately, all the children recovered and were discharged from the hospital with recommendations to avoid slushies in the future. Researchers are now calling for a revision of official health advice to better protect young children from these potentially harmful drinks.

Professor Ellen Crushell, the lead author of the study from Dublin, cautioned that the 21 cases analyzed may only represent the "tip of the iceberg." She emphasized that while thousands of children consume slushies daily without adverse effects, there could be a "milder cohort" who experience symptoms like nausea and vomiting but do not require hospital treatment.

The pediatricians who conducted the study, all based in the UK and Ireland, noted the challenges parents face in determining the glycerol content in slushy drinks. They mentioned that recommendations based on a child's weight can be hard for parents to interpret, and factors such as how quickly a slushy is consumed and whether it is eaten with a meal or after exercise can influence the side effects experienced.

The researchers suggest that estimating a safe dose of glycerol is complex, advocating for age-based guidelines instead. Dr. Sally Anne Wilson, chair of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine's safer care committee, highlighted the difficulty parents face when making informed decisions about slushies, especially if they are unaware of the glycerol content and its potential effects. She acknowledged the variability in children's weights but argued that increasing the minimum age for slushy consumption could address this issue.

One factor contributing to the rise in illnesses among children may be the lower sugar content in slushies, which appeals to parents. In countries without a sugar tax, slushies often contain higher glucose levels and little to no glycerol.

Rebecca Sudworth, director of policy at the Food Standards Agency (FSA), stated that the agency is carefully considering the study's findings. She reiterated the current guidance that slushies should not be provided to children under four years old and urged retailers to make this information clear to parents. The FSA noted that while symptoms of glycerol intoxication are typically mild, it is important for parents to be aware of the risks, especially with high levels of consumption.