How ‘toxic ingredient’ in slushie drinks linked to sick kids may be used ‘to dodge sugar tax’ as shops ban sales
EXPERTS say the addition of glycerol to some slushie drinks may be an unintended result of manufacturers trying to dodge the sugar tax.
And some shops have now banned their sale to under-fives, The Sun on Sunday can also reveal.
It comes after some of the brightly-coloured drinks — which are designed to appeal to children — were linked to the hospitalisation of 21 children aged two to seven.
While the chemical is authorised as a food additive and is regarded as safe for human consumption, there have been cases of glycerol intoxication in young children, causing sudden drops in blood sugar and loss of consciousness, a study by University College Dublin found.
Health warnings
Slushies can contain glycerol as a substitute for sugar to create the slush effect.
Some brands, including Starslush and top seller Slush Puppie, removed glycerol from their recipes in 2023 in response to Food Standards Agency guidance.
But some other drinks, often sold in amusement parks, cinemas and shops, still contain it.
Cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra said: “The high glycerol levels in these drinks may be a result of manufacturers trying to dodge the Government’s sugar tax. Glycerol is a sweetener that may be even worse for health, especially in young children, causing headaches, nausea and, in severe cases, hospitalisation.
“Slushies and other sugary drinks should be banned for young children. At the very least, they should carry health warnings like cigarettes.”
GP Helen Wall said of slushies: “With their high glycerol levels, they can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar and even loss of consciousness in young children, depending on the glycerol content and how fast they are drunk, neither of which is easily predicted.”
The UK slushie market is estimated to be worth around £450million a year.
The sugar tax, or UK soft drinks industry levy, came into effect in 2018 as part of the Government’s anti-obesity policy and was aimed at making drinks firms cut their products’ sugar content.
The FSA already warns parents not to give slushies to kids aged four or under.
Sandhu Gopi, who manages five convenience stores in Newcastle, has stopped selling slushies to young children and put up a sign.
He said: “It’s really shocking. No child should be hospitalised because of a drink.
“There are plenty of other drink options in our store for children to choose from.”
Paediatric dietitian Emma Shafqat supports warning labels on slushies.
She said: “Some are loaded with sugar and glycerol. One slushie can pack up to 40g of sugar, which is way above the daily limit for younger children.
“Kids aged four to six should have no more than 19g per day. Such drinks should definitely carry a warning label and they should not be sold in places like bowling alleys and cinemas, where you can often help yourself to unlimited refills.”