Health Warning Issued After Toddler’s Reaction to Slush Drink

Severe Reaction to a Popular Children’s Drink

A two-year-old girl from Stranraer, Scotland, was rushed to the hospital after collapsing from consuming a Slush Puppie drink. The incident, which unfolded last Saturday, has sparked concerns about the safety of slushy drinks containing glycerol for young children. The toddler, Arla Agnew, experienced a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels, leading to hypoglycemia. Her mother, Carys, described the terrifying ordeal as Arla “turned grey” and appeared to pass out repeatedly.

What is Glycerol and Why is it a Concern?

Glycerol, a chemical compound commonly used in slushy drinks to prevent liquids from freezing solid, has been flagged for its potential health risks in children under four years old. According to the Food Standards Scotland (FSS), excessive consumption of glycerol can lead to side effects such as headaches, sickness, hypoglycemia, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness. While the FSS recommends that products containing glycerol should include warnings about its unsuitability for young children, these warnings are not legally mandated.

A Mother’s Worst Nightmare

Carys recounted how the family had been visiting a friend’s house, where they used a newly purchased Slush Puppie machine. Arla had consumed only half a cup of the icy drink when her condition rapidly deteriorated. “Her whole face was grey,” Carys said. “It was like she wasn’t falling asleep; it was like she was passing out and waking up again.” Alarmed, the family rushed her to Galloway Community Hospital, where initial tests revealed dangerously low blood sugar levels.

Doctors at the hospital consulted with a poison unit, eventually identifying glycerol in the Slush Puppie as the likely cause. Arla was then transferred to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, where she received urgent treatment. Thankfully, her condition stabilized, and she was able to recover fully within a day.

Calls for Stricter Guidelines

This incident is not an isolated case. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK issued new guidance in August 2023, advising against the sale of slushy drinks containing glycerol to children under four. However, this guidance is voluntary, and compliance varies. There have been at least two other reported cases of children in Scotland experiencing similar reactions, one in 2021 and another in 2022.

Arla’s grandmother, Stacey, checked the packaging of the Slush Puppie machine and found no warnings about glycerol’s risks for young children. Retailer B&M, where the machine was purchased, stated that their products adhere to FSA guidelines but did not comment on the absence of explicit warnings on packaging.

A Broader Issue: Glycerol Intolerance

Similar incidents have been reported elsewhere in the UK. In February 2024, a four-year-old boy named Albie from Warwickshire also suffered a severe reaction after consuming a slushy drink. Albie became unresponsive, and his mother had to rush him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with glycerol intolerance. Such cases highlight the need for greater awareness and stricter industry regulations.

Parental Vigilance is Key

Health experts emphasize the importance of parental vigilance when it comes to children consuming products containing glycerol. While slushy drinks are often marketed as fun treats for children, their potential risks are not widely understood. Parents are urged to read product labels carefully and limit their children’s intake of such drinks, particularly if they are under the age of four.

Carys, Arla’s mother, hopes that sharing her story will serve as a warning to other parents. “This just scares me,” she said. “The doctor told me that if it had been 20 minutes later, the outcome could have been very different. We want to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

As concerns around glycerol in slushy drinks grow, the incident underscores the importance of informed choices and stricter guidelines to protect vulnerable young children.

Source: Bbc