FSAI issues urgent warning over ‘slushies’ for kids that could cause vomiting

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has sounded the alarm bell for mums, dads, and carers across the country with a fresh warning over the dangers of kids knocking back slush ice drinks popularly known as ‘slushies’. These chilly treats, often loaded with glycerol to keep the sugar levels down, might not be as harmless as they seem for the little ones.

For those tiny tots under four, the FSAI is saying a firm ‘no’ to any slushie consumption, while the slightly older kids, aged between five and ten, should stick to just one slushie a day max. The advice came rolling out on Tuesday, pointing out that although glycerol’s got the EU’s thumbs up as an additive and it’s usually no biggie, there’s a bit of worry about what it does to under-10s when they have too much of it.

Overdosing on these icy drinks could hit the youngsters with headaches, feeling sick, or even having a chunder. And in particularly rare cases, it might go really south with scary stuff like shock, dangerously low blood sugar, or blacking out, reports the Irish Mirror.

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But the FSAI isn’t just wagging a finger at parents; it’s put together a set of voluntary guidelines for the industry folks who dish out these frozen concoctions using slush ice machines in all sorts of places or pre-pack these temptations for supermarket shelves.

They’re urging producers and sellers 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”

• To avoid offering free refills of slush ice drinks to younger children

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has issued new advice to parents of young children about consuming slush ice drinks containing glycerol. The FSAI is asking vendors to avoid offering free refills of slush ice drinks to younger children to limit their exposure to glycerol.

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that the department is seeking to raise awareness that high levels of consumption can potentially cause side effects.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

The FSAI says any changes to current food additive legislation will have to be carried out at European level following discussions with the European Commission and other Member States. Further advice on the consumption of slush ice drinks by consumers is available here.

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