Food safety body issues slushie warning

HEADACHES, nausea and vomiting are some of the potential side effects for children consuming ‘slushies’. A firm summer favourite – the flavoured, coloured, glycerol-containing slush-ice drinks have become the subject of a parental warning from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).  It’s advising that children aged four and under should not consume the drink, while those aged between five and ten should be limited to one a day. The FSAI states that glycerol is an EU approved additive and is used to lower the sugar content of drinks. Glycerol gives ice drinks a slushy effect and while 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 is asking retailers to ensure that their customers are aware of the advice for younger children and to display point-of-sale warnings stating ‘this product contains glycerol and is not recommended for children aged four and under’. They have also been asked to stop offering free refills of the drinks to younger children.  FSAI chief executive Dr Pamela Byrne says that “high consumption of glycerol containing slush ice drinks could potentially lead to severe symptoms such as shock, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and loss of consciousness”. It is hoped that highlighting the potential side effects will limit young children’s exposure to 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 they are not part of a healthy balanced diet and should only be consumed in moderation as a treat.   Dr Byrne says that while the aim is not to cause parents, guardians or caregivers undue worry, “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 a day for children aged between five and ten years of age”.