FSAI Issues Updated Advice on Glycerol in Slush Ice Drinks

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has issued updated advice that children aged ten and under should not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol, following a new risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Glycerol gives slush ice drinks their slushy effect and is an EU-approved food additive, used in food reformulation to lower the sugar content of drinks. Whilst it is generally not harmful, the FSAI has raised concerns about its effects on children aged ten and under when used at high levels in slush ice drinks. Consumption of glycerol-containing slush ice drinks by children in this age group could cause headaches, nausea and vomiting. On rare occasions, it could potentially lead to severe symptoms such as shock, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and loss of consciousness.

Slush ice drinks are available through slush ice machines in a variety of outlets, as syrup concentrates to be made up at home, as pre-packaged drinks in supermarkets and retail stores, and online.

The FSAI has also updated its voluntary guidelines for the industry. These guidelines require the industry to use only a safe quantity of glycerol when making slush ice drink concentrates. Manufacturers of pre-packaged slush ice drinks and make-at-home syrup concentrates containing glycerol should carry a warning on packaging 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."

Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive of the FSAI, said:

"Our advice to consumers is always based on the most up-to-date scientific data available. The recent risk assessment by EFSA 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 has 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. Consumption of glycerol containing slush ice drinks by children aged ten and under could cause headaches, nausea and vomiting. On rare occasions, it could potentially lead to severe symptoms such as shock, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and loss of consciousness."

The FSAI previously raised this issue with the European Commission and other Member States, which led to the current EFSA risk assessment. The authority says it continues to support changes to food additive legislation, which must be agreed at European level.

Further information is available on the FSAI website.