ALERT: Parents warned not to give slushies to young children due to health concerns

Parents of young children are being advised they should not allow them to consume slush ice drinks that contain glycerol due to health concerns.

The Food Safety Authority Ireland says parents, guardians and caregivers should limit young children’s consumption of such products due to potential side effects including headaches, nausea and vomiting.

In advice, published this Tuesday, it says that children aged four and under should not consume glycerol-containing slush ice drinks and that consumption should be limited to no more than one per day for children aged between five and ten years of age.

Glycerol is an EU-approved additive and is used to lower the sugar content of drinks. It gives ice drinks a slushy effect and whilst it is generally not harmful, the FSAI says there are concerns about its effects on young children under ten years of age when consumed in large quantities.

Slush ice drinks are sold via slush ice machines in a variety of outlets and are also sold pre-packaged in supermarkets/retail stores.

The FSAI has developed voluntary guidelines for the industry which include using the minimum quantity of glycerol necessary when making slush ice drinks and introducing measures to ensure customers are aware of the FSAI’s advice for younger children.

Free refills should not be offered and warnings should be displayed at points of sale.

Commenting on the advice, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI stated: “The Department of Health’s Healthy Eating Guidelines has placed slush ice drinks on the top shelf of the healthy eating food pyramid, meaning that they are not part of a healthy balanced diet and should only be consumed in moderation as a treat."

She added that parents and guardians should not be too concerned or worried. "We are advising that no child under four years of age should be consuming these slush ice drinks, and that consumption should be limited to no more than one per day for children aged between five and ten years of age. High consumption of glycerol containing slush ice drinks over a short period of time by young children could cause headaches, nausea and vomiting. On rare occasions, it could potentially lead to severe symptoms such as shock, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and loss of consciousness.”

The FSAI says it has raised this issue with the European Commission and other Member States.