Overview

• Research published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood identified 21 cases of glycerol intoxication syndrome in children under eight in the UK and Ireland.
• Symptoms of the condition include hypoglycemia, reduced consciousness, and metabolic disturbances, with most children recovering after medical intervention.
• The UK Food Standards Agency currently advises against slush drinks for children under four and limits consumption for those under 11, but researchers suggest raising the age limit to eight.
• Parents, including a mother whose four-year-old daughter fell unconscious after consuming a slush drink, are calling for bans or stricter regulations for children under 12.
• Experts highlight the lack of transparency around glycerol concentrations in slush drinks, complicating efforts to ensure safe consumption for young children.