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Slush Drinks Shutterstock

Don't give slushies to under-8s, doctors and scientists warn

Irish research identified cases of ‘glycerol intoxication sysndrome’ in young children.

GLYCEROL IN SLUSHIES can make children sick, and should not be consumed until children are at least eight years old, according to a new study by UCD.

The study reviewed 21 children who presented to medical centres across the UK and Ireland from 2009 through 2024 after consuming slushies.

Of the 21 children, a majority – 93% – of them became unwell within 60 minutes of slush ice drink consumption. None of them had any relevant previous conditions.

The researchers found that that the glycerol in slush drinks can cause ‘glycerol intoxication syndrome’ in young children.

“This illness has only rarely been described before in the medical literature and never in association with slush ice drinks,” said Professor Ellen Crushell, a metabolic paediatrician at Temple Street children’s hospital and professor at the UCD School of Medicine.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) last year, issued advice to parents to limit young childrens’ consumption of slush ice drinks that contain glycerol, due to potentially negative side-effects – including headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

Glycerol is an EU-approved additive that is used to keep the sugar content of drinks low, and gives iced drinks a slushy consistency. While it is not usually harmful, there are concerns about its effect on young children.

The FSAI has advised that children under the age of four should not consume drinks containing glycerol, and that consumption by older kids and adults should be kept to no more than one a day.

However, Crushnell said children should be at least eight years old before consuming slushies.

She added that greater transparency was needed on the amount of glycerol used in the drinks.

The HSE said parents should bear in mind that slush drinks have no health value for kids anyway.

Dr Abigail Collins, National Clinical Lead for the HSE’s Child Health Public Health Programme said: “It should also be noted that all slush ice drinks, whether containing sugar or glycerol, convey no health benefits, and are not part of a healthy diet for children of any age.”

Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, the junior minister responsible for public health, said she has asked her department and the FSAI to review the study’s findings.

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    Mute Gavin Rynn
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    May 28th 2021, 6:18 PM

    Nearly there now lads.

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    Mute Damo Casey
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    May 28th 2021, 6:21 PM

    Keep doing the right things for a few more weeks and we’re home and hosed , everyone who made it through this pandemic needs to give themselves a pat on the back for making it this far .

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    Mute Alan Henderson
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    May 28th 2021, 8:50 PM

    @Damo Casey: everyone that hasn’t died in the last 14 months deserves a pat on the back from themselves? Weird.
    Also it’s a lot more than a few weeks until it’s over unfortunately.

    14
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    Mute TheBurner
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    May 28th 2021, 6:21 PM

    Open the brothels now!!

    160
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    Mute reginald
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    May 28th 2021, 6:32 PM

    @TheBurner: pair of liathroidi’s on yeah down to your ankles

    62
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    Mute Declan Moran
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    May 28th 2021, 7:29 PM

    @TheBurner: Ah, the good old days of the 90′s :)

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    Mute Paul O Connor
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    May 28th 2021, 10:36 PM

    @TheBurner:
    You cant open things that were never closed.

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    Mute Jason Walsh
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    May 28th 2021, 6:21 PM

    Don’t forget to disolve them ‘temporary’ laws lads.

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    Mute Stephen Fitzgerald
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    May 28th 2021, 7:41 PM

    @Jason Walsh: Like all things temporary in this country…..USC too, temporary has a terrible habit of becoming permanent.

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    Mute Michael Healy
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    May 28th 2021, 6:25 PM

    If that’s the case then we don’t need the covid emergency powers extended till November, at best they should remain in place till the end of July and be reviewed on a monthly basis from then. We will only be at the end of this covid situation…

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    Mute Seán O'Sullivan
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    May 28th 2021, 6:56 PM

    @Michael Healy: and have to pass vote after vote to keep them going ? Nonsense . No one says they have to use them . They have them of they need them

    16
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    Mute Michael Healy
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    May 28th 2021, 7:23 PM

    @Seán O’Sullivan: Yes but remember when the USC was temporary and only there till things got better and guess what it never went away. I’d prefer them doing something and making sure these rules are voted in each month based on where we are rather than a get out of jail free card for the hse to use when the usual winter nearly on the brink situation kicks off like it’s done for the last 20 years and they have the covid powers as a great reason to cover up the poor management….

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    Mute Brian Lyons
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    May 28th 2021, 6:19 PM

    1…2…3….SF PBP moaning

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    Mute Joey Navinski
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    May 28th 2021, 6:26 PM

    @Brian Lyons: even with all the hope and positivity your headspace is occupied by those you don’t like. Sad.

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    Mute Michael Burke
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    May 28th 2021, 6:28 PM

    @Brian Lyons: after you.

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    Mute David Corrigan
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    May 28th 2021, 6:28 PM

    @Brian Lyons: Sad.

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    Mute Paul Gorry
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    May 28th 2021, 6:38 PM

    @Brian Lyons: just listened to mary Lou on 6 one, not one moan out of her.

    42
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    Mute Michael Healy
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    May 28th 2021, 7:20 PM

    @Brian Lyons: what does PBP and SF have to do with people wondering why some of these rules don’t make sense. I don’t vote for either parties but I think some of the rules with no data or science to back it up is just a head scratcher and doesn’t seem to make sense…but hey if you wanna let political parties live in the head rent free, more fool you

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    Mute Quiet Goer
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    May 28th 2021, 6:19 PM

    Open the hubs

    48
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    Mute Vlad Eire
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    May 28th 2021, 6:20 PM

    @Quiet Goer: love a good hub

    58
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    Mute Football in the Groin
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    May 28th 2021, 6:22 PM

    @Vlad Eire: Can’t best a frosty hint in the hub with the hads and a good hatch.

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    Mute JMcB
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    May 28th 2021, 6:59 PM

    @Football in the Groin: and a proper sit down feel

    5
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    Mute Seymour business
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    May 28th 2021, 6:21 PM

    Seems to be some genuine optimism all around. Bring it on.

    47
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    Mute trebloc01
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    May 28th 2021, 6:37 PM

    In the mean Mícheál you have vaccinated the 60-69 age group with the most feared vaccine which is only 60% proof and they have another 12 weeks to wait for the 2nd part

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    Mute Seán O'Sullivan
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    May 28th 2021, 6:56 PM

    @trebloc01: what medical background do you have ?

    28
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    Mute Adam Rekio
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    May 28th 2021, 7:25 PM

    @trebloc01: Vaccination as many people with 1 vaccine is more of a priority than getting 2 to a small amount of people. 1 offers 70-80%+ protection, which 2 gives you 90%+. Makes more sense to get 1 to lots of people as that will help get heard immunity faster

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    Mute Franny Ando
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    May 28th 2021, 8:56 PM

    @Seán O’Sullivan: Maybe you should read the data on A Z and compare it with the others. Moderna, Pfizer and Janssen.Its easy to inform yourself on these matters especially if you are going to make the serious decision of getting a vaccine.

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    Mute Jason Shortt
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    May 28th 2021, 6:52 PM

    So, just a few more weeks (months, really) to flatten the curve.

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    Mute Hear me now
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    May 28th 2021, 6:20 PM

    So when all the bars & restaurants open July 5th us there a time limit on how long you can stay there…?

    28
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    Mute Cian Nolan
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    May 28th 2021, 6:22 PM

    @Hear me now: That may be scrapped depending on the numbers remaining stable. That’s my understanding anyway.

    27
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    Mute Hear me now
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    May 28th 2021, 6:25 PM

    @Cian Nolan: thanks Cian…fingers toes & feck I’m even crossing my eyes at this stage there’s no time restrictions.

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    Mute Michael Dikie Foran
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    May 28th 2021, 6:42 PM

    @Hear me now: 3 days

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    Mute Derek Anderson
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    May 28th 2021, 6:24 PM

    Hahahaha
    More tool you if you believe this. Flip flop flip flop

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    Mute Diarmuid Hehir
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    May 28th 2021, 6:27 PM

    Good sensible plan. Baby steps the way to go.

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    Mute Joey
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    May 28th 2021, 6:28 PM

    What date are the nightclubs opening?
    Really miss a camp night out in The George with Whitney and Madonna!

    26
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    Mute Noel Donohue
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    May 28th 2021, 6:44 PM

    More waffle from the government let’s get real we’re all doomed

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    Mute Eamonn Tierney
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    May 28th 2021, 6:25 PM

    Good to hear Live Music on the way back

    15
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    Mute Stop the Lights
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    May 28th 2021, 7:16 PM

    Any update on the PUP? Will it be extended, reduced, etc.? Because there’s still quite a few unable to return to work

    14
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    Mute Franny Ando
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    May 28th 2021, 8:57 PM

    @Stop the Lights: Think that’s going to be next week.

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    Mute John Murray
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    May 28th 2021, 7:05 PM

    So polling stations can open from July? Election pencilled in before the October Budget.

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    Mute reginald
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    May 28th 2021, 6:28 PM

    Can’t wait to sink a pint of guinness.mothers milk

    18
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    Mute Eoghan P O'Leary
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    May 28th 2021, 6:52 PM

    @reginald: make sure the first few are gone through the tap, don’t want that to end in disaster.

    11
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    Mute Hear me now
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    May 28th 2021, 6:34 PM

    Another annoying question ..the non essential travel from the 17th July ..only if your vacinated (fully) ?

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    Mute Seamus Gallen
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    May 28th 2021, 6:48 PM

    @Hear me now: No. A negative PCR test will fit the Green Pass as well.

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    Mute Hear me now
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    May 28th 2021, 7:31 PM

    @Seamus Gallen: thanks Seamus

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    Mute Franny Ando
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    May 28th 2021, 8:58 PM

    @Hear me now: or if you have had Covid.

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    Mute Adrian Cahill
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    May 28th 2021, 7:20 PM

    The carrot on the stick

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    Mute Seanboy
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    May 28th 2021, 7:32 PM

    We all know what is within your grasp, Leo’s ball bag

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    Mute Bernard Mc Donnell
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    May 28th 2021, 6:23 PM

    Calling someone a clown is toxic

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    Mute Derek Anderson
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    May 28th 2021, 6:26 PM

    @Bernard Mc Donnell: hahaha so is saying fo ol

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    Mute Franny Ando
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    May 28th 2021, 8:59 PM

    @Derek Anderson: And idi,ot:)

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    Mute Nigel o'Neill
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    May 28th 2021, 10:36 PM

    The next 2 weeks are critical

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    Mute Ciaran McCann
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    May 28th 2021, 6:34 PM

    It’s not like Spanish Flu 100 years ago didn’t tell us re opening would happen in June!

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    Mute Nollaig Ó Ceallaigh
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    May 28th 2021, 6:56 PM

    @Ciaran McCann: In before Gary reminds you that it isn’t a flu, it is in fact, a very dangerous SARS virus, just another 2 weeks, numbers, look at the UK, etc., etc.

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    Mute Verners Tess
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    May 29th 2021, 12:34 AM
    1
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