Children under seven should not drink slushies containing glycerol, says regulator | Health
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said that children under seven years of age should not drink Slushies containing glycerols due to serious health risks.
Glycerol is a naturally formed alcohol and sugar substitution that helps Slshies to maintain its texture by preventing solid ice cream of liquids.
Children who get sick as a result of drinking snakes develop glycerol poisoning syndrome, which causes symptoms such as consciousness and low blood sugar. Other symptoms include lactic acidosis that occurs when the body produces too much lactic acid and hypokalemia or low potassium.
Previously, FSA, a food safety organ for the UK, Wales and Northern Ireland, advised children under four years of age should not have ice drinks containing glycerol, and that consumption should be limited to more than one Slushie per day for children aged five to 10 years. During summer holidays, FSA revised its guidance before the expected seasonal increase in children’s indoor playgrounds, leisure facilities and outdoor activities.
These latest recommendations also apply for ice drinks ready to drink with home kits containing glycerol and glycerol Slush concentrates in bags.
In the last three years, nine confirmed glycerol poisoning has been in the UK in the UK.
In March, the pediatricians warned that children under eight years of age should not drink Slushies, which contain glycerol after the review of the medical notes of 21 children who acted well after drinking.
Prof Robin May, the chief scientific consultant of FSA, said: “When entering summer holidays, we want parents to be aware of the potential risks associated with Glycerol ice drinks.
“Therefore, we recommend that children under the age of seven should never consume these drinks and that children aged seven to 10 years should not be more than 350ml of portions.
“We work closely with the industry to ensure the application of appropriate warnings wherever these beverages are sold, but in the meantime, we want parents and caregivers to take extra care for small children in warmer months, especially when the consumption of ‘Slshies’ typically increases.”
