8 foods that have glycerol in, as under-7s warned against slushies
The flavoured drinks, which are made of syrup and crushed ice, should also be limited to no more than 350ml a day – roughly the size of a fizzy drink can – for children aged seven to 10.
This is because "very high" levels of exposure to glycerol – which can happen when a child drinks several slushies in a short space of time – can cause shock, very low blood sugar levels and loss of consciousness, the watchdog said.
FSA chief scientific adviser Professor Robin May, warned that while children are more likely to opt for these drinks during heatwaves and hot weather, they come with risks.
"As we head into the summer holidays, we want parents to be aware of the potential risks associated with slush ice drinks containing glycerol," he said.
"While these drinks may seem harmless and side-effects are generally mild, they can, especially when consumed in large quantities over a short time, pose serious health risks to young children."
He added that the FSA was working closely with places where the drinks are sold to ensure warnings are in place.
If your child becomes unwell with nausea or headaches after drinking slushies, give them food or drink containing sugar and call 111 for medical advice. If they become drowsy or confused, call 999.
Here, we take a look at what glycerol is, its potential side-effects, and the other foods that contain it.
What is glycerol and is it safe?
Glycerol is a naturally occurring alcohol and sugar substitute that helps preserve and sweeten food, among other things.
It is also found in the intestines, attracting water to the gut, softening stools and relieving the symptoms of constipation.
In small levels, glycerol is safe – and it is an extremely common food additive. However, it can cause side-effects such as headaches, nausea, bloating, dizziness and diarrhoea.
On the skin, it might also cause redness and itching (it is found in certain skincare products and soaps).
In younger children, it has been found to lead to glycerol intoxication syndrome. Previous studies have examined the cases of 21 two- to seven-year-olds in the UK and Ireland, who required emergency care after drinking slushies.
Most of the children within the research lost consciousness and needed brain scans, and one child experienced a seizure. It also impacted their blood sugar levels and there were traces of high acidity in their blood.
While all the children were discharged from hospital and later made a full recovery, parents are now being told to avoid giving young children glycerol-filled slushies.
Eight other foods that have glycerol in them
While all of these foods are safe to eat, it's good to be aware where else you may find glycerol.
Tortilla wraps
Most wraps from the supermarket contain small quantities of glycerol, which helps sweeten the bread product and acts as a preservative.
Chewing gum
Gum formulas also include find powder lecithin (a naturally occurring emulsifier) and glycerol triacetate, which although do not add to the flavour in any way, help stabilise the gum – meaning it softens after the initial bite and helps the gum blend in the mouth.
Icing
Typically found in royal icing, glycerol – or glycerine, as it is sometimes referred to commercially – adds shine to the cake decoration and prevents it from getting hard when it sets.
Cereal bars
Again, the levels of glycerol in cereal bars is low – but it is commonly found in most breakfast or granola bars. It acts as a preservative in this instance.
Condiments
Some sauces, salad dressing, jams and preserves contain glycerol. It adds sweetness to the mixture and ensures they don't dry out. It can also improve the texture of the condiment.
Spices
Glycerol or glycerin is not naturally found in spices, but in some instances is added as a sweetener and humectant, to prevent them from drying out too much.
Ice cream
To prevent ice crystals forming in ice cream, small levels of glycerin is used to stabilise the mixture.
Canned foods
Mostly utilised in canned foods for its humectant qualities, glycerin also acts as a preservative, flavouring and colouring in canned foods.
Additional reporting by PA.
Read more about food and nutrition
Five foods and drinks that can make you feel sad (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
Eight ways you can manage your child's weight as obesity rates soar in the UK (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
Seven surprising health benefits of drinking coffee daily (Yahoo Life UK, 8-min read)
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