Paediatric dietitian, Emma Shafqat, has shared her approach to managing her daughter Olivia’s consumption of junk food. While Emma advocates for an 80/20 rule allowing treats like chocolate, pizza, processed meats, fizzy drinks, and sweets 20% of the time, she draws the line at one particular item – slushies. Emma explained that she prohibits Olivia from drinking slushies due to the presence of the food additive glycerol (E422), which can lead to adverse effects ranging from headaches and nausea to shock and hypoglycaemia.
Experts from Food Standards highlight the risks associated with glycerol in slush-style drinks, cautioning against giving them to children under four years due to the potential for intoxication. Adam Hardgrave, Head of Additives at the Food Standards Agency, emphasised the importance of minimising glycerol levels to mitigate potential health concerns. The FSA’s risk assessment revealed that children under five could exceed safe consumption thresholds with high glycerol content in slush drinks, leading to adverse effects like shock and hypoglycaemia.
Food Standards Scotland has reported cases where children ended up hospitalized due to glycerol intoxication, underscoring the need for awareness among parents. Stephen Hendry, head of standards at FSS, expressed gratitude to manufacturers working to reduce glycerol levels in products. The guidance issued by the FSA urges businesses to use the minimum amount of glycerol necessary in slush drinks to maintain safety standards.
In light of the potential health risks associated with glycerol, parents are advised to be vigilant about their children’s consumption of slush-style drinks. While symptoms of glycerol intoxication are generally mild, high levels of consumption can lead to severe outcomes. By raising awareness and implementing guidelines to limit glycerol content, authorities aim to safeguard children against the risks posed by these popular frozen beverages.