Overview

• Research published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood links glycerol in slush drinks to symptoms like hypoglycemia and reduced consciousness in children under eight.
• The UK Food Standards Agency currently advises against slush drink consumption for children under four and limits intake for those under 11 to one drink.
• Researchers recommend raising the age limit for safe consumption of glycerol-containing slush drinks to eight years due to health risks.
• A case study highlights a four-year-old girl, Marnie, who fell unconscious after consuming a slush drink, leading to parental advocacy for stricter regulations or bans for children under 12.
• The lack of transparency around glycerol concentrations in slush drinks complicates efforts to establish safe consumption guidelines.