Stark new warning says children under four shouldn't be given slushies

After two cases of intoxication in Lanarkshire and Edinburgh, there's a stark warning that slushies shouldn't be given to children under four.

The new guidelines from Food Standards Scotland also state under-10s should be excluded from free refill promotions.

While its toxicity is very low, there are concerns about the risk of the effects from glycerol, a liquid which prevents the drink from freezing solid so it maintains its "slush" properties.

If several slushies are drunk in a short space of time, it can cause shock, hypoglycaemia and loss of consciousness in children.

Stephen Hendry, head of standards at FSS, said: "While risk assessment work shows that symptoms of glycerol intoxication are usually mild, it is important that parents are aware of the risks - particularly at high levels of consumption.

"We are grateful to those manufacturers who have already taken steps to reduce levels of glycerol, and to those who have already told us they will be adopting our new guidelines."

Businesses have been told to only add glycerol at the minimum quantity technically necessary to achieve the slush effect.

Children over the age of four are considered unlikely to suffer ill-effects from drinking one slush drink.

This is because the effects of glycerol are related to body weight.

We spoke to a Glasgow mum, who wished to stay anonymous.

She said: "I personally wouldn't give my child under four any type of slushie.

"He's lucky if he gets a splash of diluting juice."

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• slushie
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