WARNING: Children under 8 shouldn't drink slushies
Researchers have warned that children under the age of eight should not consume slushy ice drinks.
Children under the age of eight should not consume slushy ice drinks containing glycerol, researchers have warned following a series of hospitalisations in the UK and Ireland.
These brightly coloured drinks, often marketed to children, commonly contain glycerol as a sweetener and anti-freezing agent.
However, consuming high levels of glycerol can be harmful, particularly for young children. Glycerol intoxication may lead to symptoms such as shock, low blood sugar, and even loss of consciousness.
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A peer-reviewed study, published on Tuesday in the Archives of Disease in Childhood journal, investigated a "recent apparent surge in cases" across the UK and Ireland.
Based on their findings, researchers recommended that children under eight should completely avoid slushies containing glycerol.
Their study examined medical records from 21 children, aged two to seven, who required emergency medical treatment after consuming slushies.
Most of these incidents occurred between 2018 and 2024, with many children becoming severely ill within an hour of drinking the slushies.
According to researchers, the majority of the affected children lost consciousness and displayed symptoms such as high blood acidity and low blood sugar. Four children required brain scans, while one suffered a seizure.
Fortunately, all of them made a full recovery.
Slushy machines, originally invented in the United States in the 1950s, do not always use glycerol – some rely on sugar to prevent the drinks from freezing solid.
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Researchers suggested that the recent increase in cases may be linked to growing concerns about excessive sugar consumption and the introduction of sugar taxes in the UK and Ireland.
Food safety authorities in both countries already advise against giving glycerol-containing slushies to children under four.
However, the study's authors argue that this age restriction should be raised.
"Younger children, especially those under eight years of age, should avoid slush ice drinks containing glycerol," they stated.
"Clinicians and parents should be alert to this phenomenon, and public health bodies should ensure clear messaging."
The researchers also noted that there may be additional cases where children experienced milder symptoms and did not require hospitalisation.
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In London, some parents have voiced support for raising the recommended age limit.
Elsa Qorri, a 46-year-old mother, told AFP she became concerned after her daughters, aged five and seven, drank slushies last year.
"They both got brain freeze and couldn't have any more," she said. "I'm not going to buy them again until the girls are a little bit older."
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