A recent review by a team at University College Dublin has sparked a call for revised health advice regarding the consumption of slushies by young children. The study, published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, highlights concerns about the safety of slush ice drinks containing glycerol, particularly for children under eight years old. The review team recommends that children between the ages of five and ten should limit their consumption to no more than one slushie per day.
The investigation, carried out between 2018 and 2024, involved 21 cases of children who became acutely unwell after consuming slushies. The affected children ranged from two to nearly seven years old. Notably, 14 of these children experienced symptoms within an hour of drinking the slushie. Despite the sudden onset of illness, all children recovered quickly and were discharged from medical care.
Researchers emphasized the lack of transparency regarding glycerol concentration in slush ice drinks, making it challenging to estimate a safe dosage. They noted that factors such as the speed and dose of ingestion and whether the drink is consumed with a meal or after intense exercise could influence the severity of symptoms.
"There is poor transparency around slush ice drink glycerol concentration; estimating a safe dose is therefore not easy." – Researchers
"It is also likely that speed and dose of ingestion, along with other aspects such as whether the drink is consumed alongside a meal or during a fasting state, or consumed after high-intensity exercise, may be contributing factors." – Researchers
The review advises that children under eight should avoid slushies containing glycerol altogether. This recommendation aligns with the Food Standards Agency's guidance that children under four should not consume these drinks. Following this advice, 20 children had no further episodes of low blood sugar.
“Clinicians and parents should be alert to the phenomenon, and public health bodies should ensure clear messaging regarding the fact that younger children, especially those under eight years of age, should avoid slush ice drinks containing glycerol.” – Researchers
The researchers argue for clearer public health messaging and suggest that recommendations should focus on safety. They also propose that guidelines might be more effective if they are based on weight rather than age due to variability in children's development.
“Recommendations on their safe consumption therefore need to be weighted towards safety,” – Researchers