A report has been published recently that focused on slush drinks with glycerol.
The research is titled ‘Glycerol Intoxication Syndrome in Young Children, Following the Consumption of Slush Ice Drinks’ and was authored by a group of Irish- and UK-based clinicians and published in the British Medical Journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Among the report’s recommendations are the avoidance of slush drinks for children below eight years of age.
Slush ice drinks are beverages that can contain glycerol (E 422) as a substitute or partial substitute for sugar. Glycerol helps maintain the slushy texture by preventing the liquid from freezing solid. Glycerol is an EU approved additive and is used to lower the sugar content of drinks. Glycerol gives ice drinks a slushy effect and whilst it is generally not harmful, there are concerns about its effects on young children under 10 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 retail stores.
The Department of Health’s Healthy Eating Guidelines has slush ice drinks at the top end of the healthy eating food pyramid, meaning that they are not part of a healthy balanced diet.
Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor said: “As a Minister whose portfolio covers food safety and health promotion, I welcome publication of this research paper, and I have asked my Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to review the findings of the paper. Public health for children is a priority for my Department and I will continue to endorse the work of agencies including the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and safefood in this area.”
