The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has advised that slush ice drinks containing glycerol are not suitable for children under seven years old.
The advice was endorsed at the FSA’s board meeting on 18 June, which also called for clear communication with parents and carers. Officials were directed to develop a “greatly enhanced voluntary approach” to help the industry manage glycerol intake in children over the long term.
The latest risk assessment takes a more precautionary approach than the initial 2023 assessment, which was based on average body weight. To provide more practical advice for parents and businesses, body weight has been converted into age ranges, reflecting children’s varying sizes.
Slush ice drinks often contain glycerol as a sugar substitute to stop them freezing solid. Businesses are advised to use only the minimum amount needed to create the slush effect. Consuming high levels of glycerol can cause dangerously low blood sugar and even unconsciousness in young children.
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The updated advice covers ready-to-drink slush ice drinks with glycerol in pouches, as well as home kits containing glycerol slush concentrates.
Professor Susan Jebb, FSA chair, said in warm weather children are more likely to consume slush ice drinks and that it was important for parents and carers to be aware of the risks.
She added: “As a precaution, the FSA is recommending that children under seven do not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol. With our counterparts in Scotland, we will be talking to parent groups and charities to provide updated guidance that is useful and applicable across the UK.
“We expect industry to share data on the quantity of glycerol in their products to inform our future work. Meanwhile, there are immediate actions they can take that can help protect children and reduce the risk from these products. For example, retailers should limit cup sizes and should not offer free refill promotions to children under 10.”
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