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Doctors Warn Children Under Eight to Avoid Glycerol-Laced Slushies

A study highlights health risks of glycerol in slush drinks, with 21 children hospitalized in the UK and Ireland since 2009.

  • Glycerol, a sweetener used to maintain the texture of sugar-free slushies, has been linked to serious health issues in young children.
  • A study reviewed 21 cases of children, mostly under age four, hospitalized between 2009 and 2024 with symptoms like low blood sugar and reduced consciousness after consuming slushies.
  • Most children became ill within an hour of drinking the slushies, with all cases resolving after medical intervention to stabilize blood sugar levels.
  • Researchers recommend raising the age limit for safe consumption to eight years, citing poor transparency around glycerol concentrations and weight-based risks.
  • The Food Standards Agency advises against slushies for children under four, while researchers call for stricter public health guidelines and clearer labeling.
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