Overview

• On July 17 the FSA prohibited slushies containing glycerol for under-7s and limited 7–10-year-olds to a single 350 ml serving per day
• A March study of 21 cases across the UK and Ireland found nearly all affected children fell ill within an hour of slushie consumption, with nine confirmed hospitalisations and seven additional potential cases over three years
• Retailers have been directed to remove free refill promotions for customers under ten to curb excessive glycerol intake in short periods
• The FSA has required manufacturers to display glycerol content clearly and use minimum amounts of the additive, prompting brands like Slush Puppie to reformulate their recipes
• Parents are advised to ask about glycerol presence at the point of sale, monitor their children’s slushie intake and seek medical help if symptoms such as hypoglycaemia, shock or loss of consciousness occur