London, UK – Researchers are warning parents that children under the age of eight should avoid consuming slushy ice drinks that contain glycerol due to potential health risks. A recent study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood journal highlighted a concerning uptick in cases of children needing emergency medical treatment after consuming these brightly colored drinks marketed towards young children.
Glycerol, commonly used as a sweetener and anti-freezing agent in slushy ice drinks, can lead to harmful effects when consumed in high levels, particularly in children. Symptoms of glycerol intoxication can range from shock and low blood sugar to loss of consciousness, prompting researchers to advise against children under eight drinking these beverages.
Researchers delved into the medical records of 21 children between the ages of two and seven who required emergency treatment after consuming slushies. The majority of cases occurred between 2018 and 2024, with children experiencing acute illness symptoms soon after consumption. Although all the children eventually recovered, the severity of their symptoms raised concerns among researchers.
While slushy machines were first introduced in the United States in the 1950s, not all slushy ice drinks contain glycerol, as sugar can also be used to prevent the beverages from freezing solid. However, the recent surge in cases in the UK and Ireland is believed to be related to the growing awareness around high sugar consumption and the implementation of sugar taxes in both countries.
Health authorities in the UK and Ireland already recommend that children under four avoid slushies containing glycerol, but researchers are advocating for extending this age restriction to children under eight. They emphasize the importance of clinicians, parents, and public health agencies staying vigilant about this issue to prevent further cases of glycerol intoxication in young children.
Some parents in London have expressed support for raising the recommended age for consuming slushies containing glycerol. Elsa Qorri, a mother of two girls aged five and seven, shared her concerns after her children experienced adverse effects from drinking slushies. She noted that until her daughters are older, she will refrain from purchasing these beverages for them, echoing the researchers’ call for heightened awareness and caution around the consumption of glycerol-containing slushy ice drinks.