Beware! Experts sound alarm over a childhood favourite that sent kids to hospital
- Replies 0
Slushy drinks are a childhood favourite, offering a sweet and refreshing treat.
But could they pose hidden dangers that many parents aren’t aware of?
Concerns have emerged over a particular ingredient used in these drinks, with alarming cases prompting experts to call for stricter safety measures.
A four-year-old girl was left unconscious after drinking a slushy, sparking fresh warnings over the potential dangers of the popular icy beverage.
Marnie Moore, from Lancashire, was rushed to hospital after suffering from glycerol toxicity, a condition that caused her blood sugar levels to plummet.
Her mother, Kim Moore, said Marnie became ‘unresponsive and floppy’ just minutes after drinking a 500ml slushy at a children’s party.
Doctors diagnosed her with hypoglycaemic shock, a severe reaction that can lead to seizures, coma, and, in extreme cases, death.
Marnie spent three days in hospital recovering, and her mother has since called for slushies to be banned for children under 12.
‘If I hadn't taken her to hospital, it may have had a different outcome,’ Ms Moore said.
‘So many places promote free slushies when you play there but you're promoting poison.’
‘I don't think they should be sold to kids 12 and under. And I personally wouldn't allow my child to drink one at all. It's not a risk I'm willing to take.’
‘I wouldn't wish what we went through on our worst enemy.’
Marnie’s symptoms began about 10 minutes after drinking half of the slushy, with her mother initially believing she was just overtired.
When Marnie failed to wake up, Ms Moore realised something was seriously wrong.
‘I was shaking her trying to wake her up and there was nothing,’ she recalled.
Doctors confirmed she was suffering from a dangerous drop in blood sugar, an effect linked to the artificial sweetener glycerol, which is commonly used in slushies to prevent them from freezing solid.
Experts have warned that young children struggle to process glycerol efficiently, leading to dehydration, nausea, and, in severe cases, hypoglycaemia.
A recent study reviewed the medical records of 21 children who became seriously ill after consuming slushies, prompting calls for stricter guidelines.
Currently, health authorities advise against giving slushies to children under four, but researchers now say this recommendation should extend to all children under eight.
Some brands have already removed glycerol from their recipes, with Slush Puppie among those making changes.
The UK’s sugar tax has been linked to an increased use of glycerol in slushies, as it allows manufacturers to achieve the same texture with less sugar.
Other parents have also shared terrifying experiences.
Beth Green, from Warwickshire, said her four-year-old son Albie became ‘unresponsive’ after drinking a strawberry slushy during a bowling trip.
He began ‘hallucinating’ and ‘clawing at his face’ before being rushed to hospital, where doctors had to resuscitate him.
‘If they hadn't rushed Albie to hospital there and then he would have died,’ medics told his parents.
Another case involved three-year-old Angus from Scotland, who collapsed and lost consciousness after drinking a slushy.
His mother, Victoria Anderson, described how paramedics found his body ‘stone cold’ before rushing him to hospital, where he remained unconscious for two hours.
Marnie’s mother has since banned her daughter from drinking slushies and urged other parents to be cautious.
‘Looking back, she had every single symptom of glycerol toxicity,’ Ms Moore said.
In a previous story, experts raised concerns about a widely used medication linked to serious mental health risks.
With growing fears over hidden dangers in everyday products, many are questioning whether enough is being done to protect consumers.
Read more about the alarming findings and what health officials are saying.
With experts calling for stricter guidelines on slushy drinks, do you think they should be banned for young children? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
But could they pose hidden dangers that many parents aren’t aware of?
Concerns have emerged over a particular ingredient used in these drinks, with alarming cases prompting experts to call for stricter safety measures.
A four-year-old girl was left unconscious after drinking a slushy, sparking fresh warnings over the potential dangers of the popular icy beverage.
Marnie Moore, from Lancashire, was rushed to hospital after suffering from glycerol toxicity, a condition that caused her blood sugar levels to plummet.
Her mother, Kim Moore, said Marnie became ‘unresponsive and floppy’ just minutes after drinking a 500ml slushy at a children’s party.
Girl left unconscious after drinking popular slushy. Image source: Kennedy News and Media
Doctors diagnosed her with hypoglycaemic shock, a severe reaction that can lead to seizures, coma, and, in extreme cases, death.
Marnie spent three days in hospital recovering, and her mother has since called for slushies to be banned for children under 12.
‘If I hadn't taken her to hospital, it may have had a different outcome,’ Ms Moore said.
‘So many places promote free slushies when you play there but you're promoting poison.’
‘I don't think they should be sold to kids 12 and under. And I personally wouldn't allow my child to drink one at all. It's not a risk I'm willing to take.’
‘I wouldn't wish what we went through on our worst enemy.’
Marnie’s symptoms began about 10 minutes after drinking half of the slushy, with her mother initially believing she was just overtired.
When Marnie failed to wake up, Ms Moore realised something was seriously wrong.
‘I was shaking her trying to wake her up and there was nothing,’ she recalled.
Doctors confirmed she was suffering from a dangerous drop in blood sugar, an effect linked to the artificial sweetener glycerol, which is commonly used in slushies to prevent them from freezing solid.
Experts have warned that young children struggle to process glycerol efficiently, leading to dehydration, nausea, and, in severe cases, hypoglycaemia.
A recent study reviewed the medical records of 21 children who became seriously ill after consuming slushies, prompting calls for stricter guidelines.
Currently, health authorities advise against giving slushies to children under four, but researchers now say this recommendation should extend to all children under eight.
Some brands have already removed glycerol from their recipes, with Slush Puppie among those making changes.
The UK’s sugar tax has been linked to an increased use of glycerol in slushies, as it allows manufacturers to achieve the same texture with less sugar.
Other parents have also shared terrifying experiences.
Beth Green, from Warwickshire, said her four-year-old son Albie became ‘unresponsive’ after drinking a strawberry slushy during a bowling trip.
He began ‘hallucinating’ and ‘clawing at his face’ before being rushed to hospital, where doctors had to resuscitate him.
‘If they hadn't rushed Albie to hospital there and then he would have died,’ medics told his parents.
Another case involved three-year-old Angus from Scotland, who collapsed and lost consciousness after drinking a slushy.
His mother, Victoria Anderson, described how paramedics found his body ‘stone cold’ before rushing him to hospital, where he remained unconscious for two hours.
Marnie’s mother has since banned her daughter from drinking slushies and urged other parents to be cautious.
‘Looking back, she had every single symptom of glycerol toxicity,’ Ms Moore said.
In a previous story, experts raised concerns about a widely used medication linked to serious mental health risks.
With growing fears over hidden dangers in everyday products, many are questioning whether enough is being done to protect consumers.
Read more about the alarming findings and what health officials are saying.
With experts calling for stricter guidelines on slushy drinks, do you think they should be banned for young children? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
