Children under four should not be given slushies – FSAI

The Food Safety Authority Ireland (FSAI) has said that children under the age of four should not be given slushies due to potential side effects including headaches, nausea and vomiting.

It also said that children aged between five and ten years of age should be limited to one per day.

It said it is giving the advice because of the presence of glycerol which gives ice drinks a slushy effect.

While it says it is generally not harmful, there are concerns about its effects on young children under ten years of age when consumed in large quantities.

Slush ice drinks are sold via slush ice machines in a variety of outlets and are also sold pre-packaged in supermarkets/retail stores.

The FSAI has developed voluntary guidelines for the industry.

It says the guidelines “require the industry to use the minimum quantity of glycerol necessary when making slush ice drinks; ensure that their customers are aware of the FSAI’s advice for younger children in relation to slush ice drinks; display point-of-sale warnings stating ‘this product contains glycerol and is not recommended for children aged 4 and under’; and to avoid offering free refills of slush ice drinks to younger children.

FSAI Chief Executive Dr Pamela Byrne said: “The Department of Health’s Healthy Eating Guidelines has placed slush ice drinks on the top shelf of the healthy eating food pyramid, meaning that they are not part of a healthy balanced diet and should only be consumed in moderation as a treat.

“Whilst we do not want to cause parents, guardians or caregivers undue worry, we are advising that no child under four years of age should be consuming these slush ice drinks, and that consumption should be limited to no more than one per day for children aged between five and ten years of age.

“High consumption of glycerol containing slush ice drinks over a short period of time by young children could cause headaches, nausea and vomiting. On rare occasions, it could potentially lead to severe symptoms such as shock, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and loss of consciousness.”