Glycerol is an ingredient that is added to some food and drink, to keep products moist, preserve them, to change their texture or to sweeten them. It is also widely used in pharmaceuticals. For instance, it can be used in cough syrups and topical treatments including wound and burn creams.
The FSA has released guidelines that relate specifically to slushy drinks. This is because of the levels of glycerol in some of these products and the way they are sometimes consumed. In some slushy drinks, it creates the slushy texture and sweetens, so can appear in relatively high levels compared to other foods and drinks.
Glycerol intoxication can happen in children aged about ten and under, causing headaches, sickness, and in extreme cases, shock, hypoglycaemia and loss of consciousness. This is because their smaller bodies cannot break glycerol down as efficiently as an adult or older child.
Because some slushy drinks contain particularly high levels of glycerol, the FSA recommends that children under 10 only consume limited amounts (one drink per day) and retailers do not offer free refills.
The FSA recommends avoiding all slushy drinks for children aged four or younger, and, as of 12 March 2025, there is a suggestion that the recommendation be extended to all children aged 8 or younger.
