New FSA campaign warns parents: Don’t give slushies containing glycerol to under-7s

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a national campaign today (17 July) warning parents and carers not to give children under seven slush ice drinks or ’slushies’ containing glycerol, citing potential serious health risks.

The updated advice comes as UK temperatures rise and sales of slush drinks spike across play centres, leisure venues and summer events. Parents should limit children aged 7 to 10 to just one 350ml serving per day, about the size of a standard fizzy drink can.

The FSA has also issued revised industry guidance alongside the campaign, calling on retailers to help protect children by not offering free refills to anyone under 10. Manufacturers have been reminded to use only the minimum amount of glycerol necessary to achieve the frozen texture.

Over the past three years, there have been nine confirmed cases of glycerol intoxication in young children in the UK requiring hospitalisation, with seven additional potential cases reported in the media.

Statement from Professor Robin May

FSA Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Robin May, said:

As we head into the summer holidays, we want parents to be aware of the potential risks associated with slush ice drinks containing glycerol.

While these drinks may seem harmless and side effects are generally mild, they can, especially when consumed in large quantities over a short time, pose serious health risks to young children. That’s why we’re recommending that children under seven should not consume these drinks at all, and children aged 7 to 10 should have no more than one 350ml serving.

We’re working closely with industry to ensure appropriate warnings are in place wherever these drinks are sold, but in the meantime, we are asking parents and carers to take extra care when buying drinks for young children, particularly during warmer months when consumption of ‘slushies’ typically increases.”

Glycerol, commonly used in slush drinks to prevent full freezing, can cause shock, dangerously low blood sugar levels and loss of consciousness in small children when consumed in large volumes over a short period.

The revised guidance applies not only to slushies sold at retail but also to ready-to-drink pouches and home slush kits containing glycerol.

Recent risk assessment

The FSA’s updated age-based recommendations follow a new risk assessment that incorporated recent glycerol intoxication incidents and assessed the effects of a typical 350ml slush drink on children with lower-than-average body weight for their age.

This latest review takes a more precautionary approach than the 2023 assessment, which was based on average body weight, and converts weight guidance into age brackets to offer clearer advice for parents and businesses.

Advice for parents

The FSA’s new slushies campaign urges parents to check labels and ask sellers whether drinks contain glycerol. If a child shows symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or headaches, give them sugary drinks or food and seek medical advice by calling 111.

In more severe cases, such as drowsiness or confusion, call 999 immediately.

The FSA says it will continue “monitoring the situation carefully” and may take further action if necessary.