After the Food Standards Agency said children under seven should not consume slush ice drinks which contain glycerol, parents have been warned of the symptoms to look out for
Parents have been warned of the telltale signs their child might be having a serious reaction to a popular summer treat.
On Wednesday, the Food Standards Agency said slush ice drinks, which often contain glycerol, can pose serious health risks to children – and kids under seven should not consume them. Glycerol, also known as glycerin, is sometimes used as a substitute for sugar to prevent slushies from freezing solid.
In its updated advice, the FSA said that if consumed at high levels, this compound can cause very low blood sugar levels and unconsciousness in young children. The advice applies to ready-to-drink slush ice drinks with glycerol in pouches and home kits containing glycerol slush concentrates.
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This week warning comes following the publication of a study in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood which reviewed 21 cases in which children became unwell shortly after consuming drinks containing glycerol. The research coined the term glycerol intoxication syndrome after the children in the study became unwell.
Symptoms included reduced consciousness, a sudden sharp drop in blood sugar, and a build-up of acid in the blood, akin to a form of poisoning or metabolic disorder. The study also detailed that the children, aged two to seven years old, were initially diagnosed with hypoglycaemia.
Researchers found that of the 21 children, 14 became ill within an hour of drinking a slushy and 16 of them experienced a significant and sudden reduction in consciousness, the study claims. All the kids recovered quickly after initial resuscitation and stabilisation of their blood glucose.
The study also found that 20 out of 21 children involved in the research didn’t experience further episodes of hypoglycaemia. The only child who consumed a slush ice drink again, aged seven, developed similar symptoms within the hour.
Professor Susan Jebb, the chair of FSA, said: “In the warm weather, children may be more likely to consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol, so it’s important that parents and carers are aware of the risks. As a precaution, the FSA is recommending that children under seven do not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol. With our counterparts in Scotland, we will be talking to parent groups and charities to provide updated guidance that is useful and applicable across the UK.
“We expect industry to share data on the quantity of glycerol in their products to inform our future work. Meanwhile, there are immediate actions they can take that can help protect children and reduce the risk from these products. For example, retailers should limit cup sizes and should not offer free refill promotions to children under 10.”
Gavin Partington, Director General of the British Soft Drinks Association, said: “We welcome this updated advice from the Food Standards Agency on the consumption of slush ice drinks containing glycerol. As is standard practice, we will work with the FSA to provide Industry information about its use.
“It’s worth noting that glycerol is authorised as an additive for use in the UK and Europe and has been used for many years by manufacturers of ‘slush’ ice drinks as a replacement for sugar in order to stop the product from freezing.
“Our members abide by all relevant and current ingredient legislation, including on glycerol. We support the FSA’s efforts to ensure parents have the right information to safeguard their children.”