'It could lead to severe symptoms': FSAI warns against slushies for children under 10

Eva Osborne

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is warning parents and caregivers that children aged 10 and under should not consume glycerol-containing slush ice drinks.

The FSAI said potential side effects include headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

Glycerol gives ice drinks a slushie effect and, whilst it is generally not harmful, there are concerns about its effects on children aged 10 years and under when used at high levels in slush ice drinks, the FSAI said.

Glycerol is an EU-approved additive and is being used in the context of food reformulation to lower the sugar content of drinks.

Slush ice drinks are sold via slush ice machines in a variety of outlets; as syrup concentrates to be made-up at home; sold as pre-packaged drinks in supermarkets/retail stores and are also available to buy online.

The FSAI has also updated its voluntary guidelines for the industry, requiring it to only use a safe quantity of glycerol when making slush ice drink concentrates.

Manufacturers of prepackaged slush ice drinks and make-at-home syrup concentrates containing glycerol should carry a warning on the pack in keeping with the FSAI advice.

Retailers selling unpackaged slush ice drinks containing glycerol should display permanent point-of-sale warnings stating: “this product contains glycerol and is not recommended for children aged 10 and under”.

FSAI chief executive, Greg Dempsey, said that this updated advice is due to the conclusion of a new risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

“Our advice to consumers is always based on the most up-to-date scientific data available. The recent risk assessment by EFSA has led to us reassessing our advice and we are now advising that all children aged 10 and under should not be consuming these slush ice drinks that contain glycerol," he said.

"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.

"For the rest of the population these slush drinks should therefore be limited and only consumed in moderation as a treat.

"Consumption of glycerol containing slush ice drinks by children aged 10 and under 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.”