'Slushie' ban for children considered because of potential health impacts

The FSAI has advised that children aged 10 and under should not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol.

A potential ban on slushie drinks for children would be considered in light of advice from food safety experts, the Government has said.

Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said the Government will work with regulators on the popular ice-based drinks, but that any outright ban must be in keeping with EU laws.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) last month issued updated advice on the drinks following the publication of a new risk assessment by its EU counterpart.

Glycerol, an EU-approved additive used to lower the sugar content of drinks, gives ice drinks their slushie effect and is generally considered safe. Glycerol, also known as E422, is an approved food additive in the EU and is used in some slush ice drinks as a substitute, or partial substitute, for sugar. It also helps to maintain the texture of the drinks.

However, concerns remain about its effects on children aged 10 and under when the additive is used at high levels in slushies.

In response to Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O’Sullivan, Ms Carroll MacNeill said she was “aware” of the new guidance and that food safety was “a priority”.

The FSAI has advised that children aged 10 and under should not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol amid concerns that, due to their lower body weight, children in this age group “may be more vulnerable to adverse effects where slush ice drinks containing glycerol are consumed”.

Potential effects include headaches, nausea, and vomiting, and at very high levels, rare but more serious symptoms such as shock, hypoglycaemia, and loss of consciousness.

The updated advice follows a new scientific opinion by the European Food Safety Authority on the safety of acute exposure to glycerol from beverages.

The FSAI guidance now advises food businesses to use the minimum quantity of glycerol necessary when making slush ice drinks, to ensure customers are aware of the advice relating to children aged 10 and under, and to display permanent point-of-sale warnings stating: “This product contains glycerol and is not recommended for children aged 10 years and under.”

Ms Carroll MacNeill said that her Department has also been advised that there is currently no specific maximum permitted level for glycerol in flavoured drinks under EU rules on food additives, and that "this issue is being discussed at EU level with a view to considering possible regulatory controls".

Ms Carroll MacNeill said that the prospect of a ban or making warnings mandatory was something on which she would liaise with the FSAI.

"Since opinions issued by EFSA are not legally binding, any national measures must be consistent with the harmonised EU regulations governing food additives and food information. This ensures that individual countries' actions remain aligned with EU-wide standards, promoting uniformity and clarity across Member States.

"In the meantime, the public health advice is clear: children aged 10 years and under should not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol. Parents, guardians and caregivers are advised to check ingredient information where available and, where there is any doubt, to ask the vendor whether glycerol is present. Food businesses are expected to have regard to the updated FSAI advice and to take appropriate steps to ensure that consumers are clearly informed at the point of sale."

Mr O'Sullivan told the Irish Examiner that since submitting his question, he had noticed that most stores are not adhering to the FSAI guidance on warnings.

"I'd be in favour of prohibition for under tens at the very least as the FSAI advice advises that children under ten can suffer from glycerol intoxication syndrome, including hypoglycaemia and loss of consciousness in that age group. More than anything, sellers of these products need to pay heed to the advice and if not then I would encourage the Minister and the Dept of Health to consider an outright ban."