An important warning from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
The Irish food watchdog advises that children under 11 should not drink iced slushies citing new research.
The safety authority has updated its advice in response to a new risk assessment published by the European Food Safety Authority.
It now says children aged 10 and under should not consume glycerol-containing liquids due to potential side-effects including headaches, nausea and vomiting – on rare occasions, it could potentially lead to shock, hypoglycaemia and loss of consciousness.
Glycerol is an EU-approved additive normally used to lower the sugar content of drinks.
Slush ice drinks are sold via machines in a variety of outlets; as syrup concentrates to be made-up at home; as pre-packaged drinks in supermarkets/ and shops; and are also available to buy online.
Greg Dempsey, chief executive of the Food Safety Authority (FSAI), said: ‘The recent risk assessment by the European FSA has led to us reassessing our advice and we are now advising that all children aged ten and under should not be consuming these slush ice drinks that contain glycerol.
‘The Department of Health’s Healthy Eating Guidelines have 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.
‘For the rest of the population these slush drinks should therefore be limited and only consumed in moderation as a treat,’ Mr Dempsey added.
The food watchdog has also updated its voluntary guidelines for the industry requiring it to only use a safe quantity of glycerol in slush ice drink concentrates.
Manufacturers of prepackaged slush ice drinks and makeat-home syrup concentrates containing glycerol should carry a warning on the pack, in keeping with the FSAI advice.
Retailers selling unpackaged slush ice drinks containing glycerol should display permanent point-of-sale warnings, stating: ‘This product contains glycerol and is not recommended for children aged ten and under.’
