Health experts are urging parents to keep “slushy” ice drinks, which often contain glycerol, away from children under the age of eight, following a study that linked the drinks to serious health issues. Researchers are calling for updated official health guidelines after analyzing the cases of 21 children aged two to seven in the UK and Ireland who required emergency treatment after consuming these beverages.
Slushies, which are designed to attract children with their bright colors, typically use glycerol—a naturally occurring sweetener—instead of sugar. This ingredient helps prevent the drinks from freezing solid and creates the signature slushy texture. While glycerol is generally safe in small amounts, excessive consumption can cause harmful effects.
Currently, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) advises that children under the age of five should avoid slushies entirely, and children under 11 should limit consumption to no more than one. This guidance stems from concerns that drinking a slushy too quickly could lead to glycerol intoxication, which may result in shock, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or even loss of consciousness.
In the study, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, all 21 children who were examined required urgent care within an hour of consuming slushies. The incidents mostly occurred between 2018 and 2024. Doctors diagnosed the children with “glycerol intoxication syndrome,” and they exhibited various symptoms, including unconsciousness, low blood sugar, and high acidity in the blood. Four of the children needed brain scans, and one suffered a seizure. Thankfully, all the children recovered and were discharged with advice to avoid slushies in the future.
Professor Ellen Crushell, the lead author of the study, warned that the cases examined could represent just a fraction of the problem. She emphasized that while many children consume slushies daily without issue, there may be a “milder cohort” who experience symptoms such as nausea and vomiting without requiring hospitalization.
The researchers, who are pediatricians based in the UK and Ireland, noted that it is challenging for parents to understand how much glycerol is in slushy drinks, as manufacturers do not always provide clear information. They also pointed out that the safe amount of glycerol depends on factors like a child’s weight, the speed of consumption, and whether the slushy is consumed with a meal or after exercise. As a result, estimating a safe dose is difficult for parents to gauge.
Dr. Sally Anne Wilson, chair of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s Safer Care Committee, told BBC Breakfast that the variability in children’s weight complicates age-based advice. However, she suggested that increasing the minimum recommended age could simplify the guidelines and protect younger children.
The study also noted that the popularity of slushies may be driven in part by their lower sugar content, which many parents find appealing. In countries without sugar taxes, slushies often contain more glucose and less glycerol, which could explain why children in those regions are less likely to experience harmful effects.
The Food Standards Agency has responded to the findings by reviewing the study’s recommendations. Rebecca Sudworth, the FSA’s director of policy, stated that the agency is considering the review carefully while continuing to encourage parents to follow existing guidance. “We strongly advise that slushie drinks should not be given to children under four years old, and we urge retailers to ensure that parents are fully informed of this advice.”
While the symptoms of glycerol intoxication are usually mild, the FSA cautioned that parents should be aware of the risks, particularly if children consume high levels of slushies.
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