Introduction
Slush ice drinks are beverages that may contain the food additive glycerol (E 422) as a substitute or partial substitute for sugar. Glycerol helps maintain the slushy texture by preventing the liquid from freezing solid.
In response to a new scientific risk assessment published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has updated its advice on the sale and consumption of slush ice drinks containing glycerol.
EFSA concluded that after drinking a slush ice drink just once, children aged ten and under might consume more than the safe short-term limit (acute reference dose, ARfD) for glycerol due to their lower body weight than other population groups.
Although glycerol is an authorised food additive in the European Union, concerns have emerged regarding adverse effects in children aged ten and under after consuming glycerol containing slush ice drinks.
Potential adverse effects may include:
- headaches
- nausea
- vomiting
- hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
- dizziness
- loss of consciousness in severe cases
Health advisory for young children
The FSAI advises that children aged ten and under should not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol.
This advice replaces previous FSAI guidance which recommended restrictions for younger age groups only and reflects the conclusions of the recent EFSA scientific opinion on acute exposure to glycerol from beverages.
Regulatory background
In the European Union (EU), glycerol (E 422) is authorised as a food additive in accordance with Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives.
Glycerol is currently permitted for use in flavoured drinks under the principle of “quantum satis”. This means that for glycerol there is no maximum numerical limit specified in Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives. However, manufacturers and other food businesses must only use glycerol:
- in accordance with good manufacturing practice;
- at the minimum level necessary to achieve the intended technological effect; and
- in a manner that does not mislead consumers.
EFSA has now recommended that the European Commission consider establishing numerical maximum levels for glycerol when used in beverages, including slush ice drinks.
Advice to Food Businesses
This advice has been developed to support manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of slush ice drinks and food businesses manufacturing make-at-home syrup concentrates , in meeting their legal obligations under Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (General Food Law), Which requires that FBOs only place safe food on the market and this is a primary obligation of food businesses.
1. Product Formulation
Food businesses should review product formulations and glycerol concentrations in light of the updated EFSA risk assessment and emerging scientific evidence concerning acute exposure.
In reformulating products, food businesses should note the EFSA opinion and the maximum concentration of glycerol in beverages, including slush ice drinks at which exposure to glycerol does not exceed the ARfD in the various population groups. The EFSA risk assessment can be accessed via the link below.
2. Point-of-Sale Consumer Information
Retailers selling unpackaged slush ice drinks containing glycerol should display a clear and permanent warning at the point of sale stating:
“This product contains glycerol and is not recommended for children aged 10 and under.”
The warning should be clearly visible to consumers at the point of purchase and should always be present. Food businesses are advised to replace temporary paper notices with more permanent notices that will endure handling and everyday wear and tear.
3. Prepacked Products
Manufacturers and retailers of prepacked slush ice drinks containing glycerol should ensure that appropriate on-pack warnings are provided consistent with current FSAI advice.
4. Slush Ice Syrups and Concentrates
Manufacturers and retailers of slush ice syrups and concentrates intended for home and retail use should:
- provide clear preparation and dilution instructions;
- ensure compliance with food additives legislation and food information legislation; and
- ensure that consumers are informed where glycerol is present.
5. Portion Size, Free Refills, Promotional Practices
Food businesses should avoid offering free refills, unlimited refill promotions or similar marketing practices for glycerol-containing slush ice drinks in premises where children may consume these products.
EFSA’s risk assessment was based on an assumed serving size of 250 mL for children, which is smaller than many portion sizes currently available on the Irish market.
6. Consumer Awareness
Food businesses should take reasonable steps to ensure that consumers, parents, guardians and caregivers are aware of the FSAI advice regarding glycerol-containing slush ice drinks.
FBOs should also consider the use of on-pack warnings for ready to drink products sold through retail.
Basis for this Advice
The updated FSAI advice is informed by:
- the 2026 EFSA scientific opinion on acute exposure to glycerol (E 422) from beverages;
- published reports of illness in children following consumption of glycerol-containing slush ice drinks;
- measurements of portion size of slush ice drinks on the Irish market
- analytical data demonstrating that some slush ice drinks contain high concentrations of glycerol; and
- the potential for acute exposure levels to exceed EFSA’s newly established acute reference dose (ARfD).
In its newly published risk assessment EFSA established an acute reference dose (ARfD) of 125 mg glycerol per kilogram of body weight for a single consumption event, based on an assumed serving sizes of 250 mL for children aged 1 to under 10 years, and 500 mL for older age groups. A serving size of 250ml, is lower than that found on the Irish market.
EFSA concluded that consumption of slush ice drinks containing glycerol could exceed this threshold across all population groups assessed, depending on the concentration of glycerol and the volume consumed, going on to recommended that the European Commission consider establishing numerical maximum levels for glycerol (E 422) in beverages, including slush ice drinks.
EFSA Scientific Opinion – Safety of acute exposure to the food additive glycerol (E 422) from beverages
The FSAI will continue to engage with the European Commission, EFSA and other Member States regarding potential future regulatory changes in this area.
This advice may be revised in the future in light of:
- emerging scientific evidence;
- updated exposure data; or
- changes to EU food additive legislation.