Experts Suggest Raising ‘Age Ban’ on Slushies to 8 After 21 Children Fall Ill
In a concerning turn of events, researchers are now recommending that children under the age of eight should avoid consuming slush ice drinks that contain the sweetening agent glycerol. This recommendation follows a recent study that revealed 21 children fell ill after consuming these drinks, displaying symptoms such as decreased consciousness, hypoglycaemia, and lactic acidosis.
Glycerol, a natural alcohol and sugar substitute, is commonly used in slush drinks to maintain their texture by preventing the liquid from freezing solid. While current guidelines in the UK advise against giving slushies containing glycerol to children under four, academics are urging for a reassessment of this advice. The study, published in Archives of Disease in Childhood, analysed the medical records of the affected children, whose ages ranged from two to almost seven, with most cases occurring between 2018 and 2024.
Upon arriving at emergency departments, these children were initially diagnosed with hypoglycaemia, a condition characterized by low blood sugar levels, after consuming the slushies. Researchers suggest that drinking slushies with glycerol can lead to a clinical syndrome known as glycerol intoxication in young children, manifesting as decreased consciousness, hypoglycaemia, lactic acidosis, and low potassium levels.
According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), children under four should refrain from consuming these slush ice drinks, and children aged five to ten should limit their intake to one slush per day. The study found that most children became unwell within an hour of consuming the slushie, with all 21 children making a quick recovery after hospitalisation and being advised against further consumption.
Despite the quick recovery of the children in the study, one seven-year-old who disregarded the advice and had another slushie experienced symptoms within an hour. Researchers highlighted the lack of transparency regarding the glycerol concentration in slush drinks, making it difficult to establish a safe dose. They emphasised that these drinks offer no nutritional or health benefits and are not recommended as part of a balanced diet.
To enhance safety measures, researchers proposed revising the recommended age threshold to at least eight years or opting for weight-based recommendations instead of age-based ones. They stressed the importance of clear public health messaging to ensure the safe consumption of slushies, considering factors such as ingestion speed, dose, and accompanying factors like meals or physical activity.
The findings of this study serve as a wake-up call for both clinicians and parents to be vigilant about the potential risks associated with slushie consumption among young children. By revisiting and revising existing guidelines, public health bodies can better protect the health and wellbeing of young consumers. It is imperative that safety considerations are prioritised to prevent similar incidents in the future.