Slush ice warning issued for children under 10

Parents are being warned not to give slush ice drinks containing glycerol to children aged ten and under following updated advice from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

The FSAI issued the warning today after a new risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority found concerns around the effects glycerol can have on young children when used at high levels in slush ice drinks.

Glycerol is commonly used to give slush drinks their icy texture and is increasingly being added as part of efforts to reduce sugar content in drinks.

The updated guidance warns that children aged ten and under should avoid consuming the drinks altogether due to the risk of side effects including headaches, nausea and vomiting.

In rare cases, the FSAI said more serious symptoms such as low blood sugar, shock and loss of consciousness could occur.

The warning applies to slush drinks sold in shops, cinemas, leisure centres and takeaway outlets through slush machines, as well as pre-packaged drinks sold in supermarkets and syrup concentrates designed to be made at home.

The FSAI has also updated its voluntary guidelines for industry, requiring businesses to use only safe quantities of glycerol in slush concentrates.

Manufacturers selling packaged products containing glycerol are now being advised to place warning labels on the packaging, while retailers selling unpackaged slush drinks should display prominent notices stating that the products are “not recommended for children aged ten and under”.

Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive of the FSAI, said the updated advice was based on the latest scientific evidence.

“Our advice to consumers is always based on the most up-to-date scientific data available,” he said.

“The recent risk assessment by EFSA has led to us reassessing our advice and we are now advising that all children aged ten and under should not be consuming these slush ice drinks that contain glycerol.”

Mr Dempsey also pointed out that slush drinks already sit on the top shelf of the Department of Health’s Healthy Eating Guidelines food pyramid, meaning they are considered treats rather than 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,” he added.

The FSAI said it previously raised concerns about glycerol in slush drinks with the European Commission and other EU member states, which ultimately led to the new EFSA assessment.

The authority said it will continue pushing for changes to EU food additive legislation at European level.