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.