Tag: Slushie safety

Following recent hospitalizations in the UK and Ireland, health authorities have issued strong warnings about the consumption of glycerol-containing slush drinks by young children. This is because glycerol, often used as a sugar substitute, can cause glycerol intoxication syndrome, leading to potentially serious side effects.

According to recent information from 7-Eleven Canada's website, the ingredient lists for standard Canadian Slurpee flavors do not contain glycerol or glycerin. This is a point of distinction, as glycerol is a known ingredient in some slush-ice drinks, and its use has faced scrutiny regarding children's health, even prompting warnings from Health Canada for slushies in general.

According to major regulatory bodies like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), glycerine E422 is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use as a food additive. However, specific safety concerns have arisen regarding high-level consumption, particularly in young children.