Slush Ice Drink Advice

Eat Well tagsHealthy Early Years tagsHealthy Families tagsHealthy Toddler tagsOral Health tags

You may have seen stories in the press regarding slush ice drinks and the health effects on young children.

The Food Standards Agency have issued advice to manufacturers that slush drinks are not to be sold for the consumption by children aged 4 years and under and refills should not be given to children under 10 years to prevent young children being exposed to excessive amounts of the ingredient glycerol.

While glycerol (a sugar substitute) is found in some other foods, it is added at much lower quantities. Slush ice drinks can contain glycerol to create the ‘slush’ effect.

This warning is in place due to their potential to cause side-effects such as headaches and sickness, particularly when consumed in excess. At very high levels of exposure – typically when large or several of these products are drunk by a child in a short space of time – glycerol intoxication could cause shock, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and loss of consciousness and children will require medical attention.

You can read the Food Standards Agency’s advice for manufacturers here.

More advice on glycerol and other food additives can be found here.

 

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