The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has warned that children aged 10 and under should not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol, reports Breaking News.
The authority said potential side effects linked to glycerol intake in young children include headaches, nausea and vomiting, reports Breaking News.
Glycerol is used in slush drinks to create the icy “slush” texture and, while it is generally considered safe for the wider population, concerns have been raised about higher levels being used in drinks consumed by younger children, reports Breaking News.
The FSAI noted that glycerol is an EU-approved food additive and is increasingly used in drink production as part of efforts to reduce sugar content, reports Breaking News.
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Slush ice drinks are widely available in shops, cafés and vending machines, as well as in pre-packaged form in supermarkets and as home-mix syrups sold online, reports Breaking News.
The authority has updated its voluntary guidance for industry, recommending that only safe levels of glycerol be used in slush ice drink products, reports Breaking News.
It also said manufacturers should include clear warning labels on products containing glycerol, advising that they are not suitable for children aged 10 and under, reports Breaking News.
Retailers selling unpackaged slush drinks have been advised to display point-of-sale notices stating that such products are not recommended for young children, reports Breaking News.
FSAI chief executive Greg Dempsey said the updated advice follows a new risk assessment carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), reports Breaking News.
He said public health guidance is based on the latest scientific evidence, and that the new assessment prompted a reassessment of safety advice for children, reports Breaking News.
Dempsey also said slush ice drinks are classified in national healthy eating guidelines as occasional treats and should be consumed only in moderation by the wider population, reports Breaking News.
He warned that excessive consumption of glycerol-containing slush drinks in young children could, in rare cases, lead to more serious symptoms such as low blood sugar, shock or loss of consciousness, reports Breaking News.
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