### Health Alert: Children Under Seven Warned to Avoid Slushies Due to Ingredient Risks
The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has delivered a stark health warning to parents and carers about the dangers of a much-loved summer refreshment. Authorities are urging that children under seven should steer clear of slush ice drinks – commonly known as “slushies” – which contain an ingredient called glycerol that could present serious health challenges for younger children.
This advice arrives at the height of summer, when slushies, with their appealing bright colours and icy sweetness, become staples at leisure centres, play parks, and outdoor festivities. The FSA’s new guidelines are directed not only to parents but also to anyone responsible for young children, asking for increased diligence when it comes to these frozen beverages.
For children aged seven to ten, the advice is more measured but still cautious. The FSA recommends limiting consumption to a single serving not exceeding 350ml – about the size of a standard can of fizzy drink – per day. This restriction is aimed at preventing overexposure to glycerol, a common additive used to enhance the slushy texture by preventing drinks from freezing solid.
Glycerol, while mostly harmless in small doses, can become hazardous if ingested in higher quantities over a short period, something that can happen if children enjoy multiple slushies in quick succession. The FSA highlights that excessive intake may result in symptoms as severe as shock, critically low blood sugar, and loss of consciousness. These risks are considered particularly acute in younger children, prompting the strong warning to entirely avoid these drinks before the age of seven.
In light of these findings, the FSA is encouraging parents and carers to be proactive: check labels or product signage for glycerol content and don’t hesitate to question sellers about ingredients, especially where information might seem unclear. The agency underscores the importance of caution – if uncertainty remains about what’s in the drink, it is safest to opt for an alternative.
There are specific symptoms to watch out for, according to the FSA. Should a child complain of headaches, nausea, or vomiting soon after consuming a slushy, adults should immediately offer food or beverages containing sugar, and promptly seek medical advice via NHS 111. Any sign of confusion or drowsiness is a medical emergency and warrants an immediate call to 999.
The advice from the FSA encompasses not only traditional store-bought slushies but also ready-to-drink variations sold in pouches and home kits that use concentrated mixes containing glycerol. In addition to cautioning families, the regulator has also appealed to retailers: do not offer free refills of slush drinks to children under ten, and ensure glycerol is used sparingly – just enough to provide the desired texture but no more.
Professor Robin May, chief scientific adviser to the FSA, notably commented, “While slush ice drinks are perceived as harmless fun, the potential harm, especially when consumed in large amounts over a short span, cannot be ignored.” He also highlighted that although serious cases remain rare, the consequences can be severe enough to require hospitalisation.
In fact, data from the past three years show nine confirmed instances in the UK where young children were hospitalised due to glycerol intoxication, with several other likely cases reported in the media. The FSA’s renewed guidance aims to help families avoid such distress, especially as consumption tends to spike during school holidays.
Moving forward, the FSA says it is working closely with both manufacturers and retailers to ensure warnings are displayed and good practices observed, especially in settings where children frequent. In the meantime, families are encouraged to consider safer alternatives to slushies, particularly for the youngest members, and to remain vigilant as the heat rises and the temptation of icy treats increases.
As with all summer indulgences, moderation and safety are paramount. With these new guidelines, the FSA hopes to ensure that children can enjoy the season with minimal risk.