Is Your Child’s Favorite Slushy Drink Actually Unsafe?
Medical experts have issued a warning that children under eight should not consume slushy ice drinks containing glycerol. This follows a series of hospitalizations in the UK and Ireland linked to these beverages. Glycerol, a common additive in slushies, is used as a sweetener and to prevent the drink from freezing solid. However, consuming high amounts can be dangerous for young children.
Potential Health Risks
Glycerol intoxication can cause serious health complications, including:
- Low blood sugar
- Loss of consciousness
- Shock
A recent study, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, examined a rise in cases of glycerol-related illness. The researchers strongly recommend that children under eight avoid slushy drinks containing this ingredient.
Study Findings: Increasing Hospital Cases
Researchers reviewed medical records of 21 children, aged two to seven, who were treated in emergency rooms after consuming slushies. Most cases occurred between 2018 and 2024. Symptoms appeared within an hour and included:
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- High blood acidity
- Dangerously low blood sugar
In severe cases:
- Four children required brain scans
- One child experienced a seizure
Fortunately, all affected children recovered quickly.
Why are Cases on the Rise?
Slushy drinks have been popular since the 1950s and do not always contain glycerol. Some manufacturers use sugar instead to prevent freezing. However, researchers believe the rise in cases may be linked to efforts to reduce sugar content in children’s diets, along with sugar taxes in the UK and Ireland. As a result, more drinks now contain glycerol as a substitute.
Calls for Stricter Guidelines
Currently, food safety agencies in the UK and Ireland advise against giving slushies with glycerol to children under four. However, researchers now recommend raising the age limit to eight. They urge health professionals, parents, and public health officials to be more aware of the risks.
Parents React to New Warnings
Some parents have already decided to stop giving slushies to their young children. Elsa Qorri, a mother from London, said she became concerned after her daughters, aged five and seven, had slushies last year.
They both experienced brain freeze and were unable to finish their drinks,” she said. “I’ve decided not to buy them again until they are a bit older.
Experts believe that many cases of mild glycerol-related illness may go unreported, as children with less severe symptoms may not require hospital treatment.
Conclusion
To protect young children, parents and caregivers should be cautious about slushy drinks containing Glycerol. While they remain a popular treat, ensuring children’s health and safety should take precedence. Until further regulations are in place, avoiding glycerol-based slushies for children under eight is the safest choice.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
