‘SLUSHIE’ ALERT FOR YOUNG KIDS
FSAI: Glycerol additive can cause loss of consciousness
A MODEL has denied assaulting Nigel Farage during his election campaign after a McDonald’s milkshake was hurled over him.
Victoria Thomas
Bowen (25) was arrested following the incident on June 4 at Clactonon-Sea,
UK.
She denied the charges at Westminster magistrates’ court yesterday and will appear for trial on October 21.
The Reform leader (60) later made light of the incident by posing with his own shake.
He was subsequently elected as MP in the July 4 general election.
SIDE-EFFECT FEARS: Slushies can cause headaches, nausea and vomiting
THE Food Safety Authority of Ireland has warned parents about ‘slushie’ ice drinks containing the additive glycerol, which can potentially cause loss of consciousness in youngsters.
The FSAI says children under the age of four should not consume the drinks at all and that consumption should be limited to no more than one per day for kids between the ages of five and ten.
In advice issued yesterday, the FSAI stated that while glycerol is an EUapproved additive that is used to lower the sugar content of drinks and is generally “not harmful”, there are concerns about its impact on children under 10 when consumed in large quantities.
Potential side-effects include headaches, nausea and vomiting, while, on rare occasions, it can also lead to severe symptoms such as shock, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and loss of consciousness.
Slush ice drinks are currently sold via slush ice machines in a variety of outlets and are pre-packaged in supermarkets and retail stores.
The FSAI has developed voluntary guidelines for the industry. These require that it uses the minimum quantity of glycerol necessary, ensure customers are aware of the FSAI’s advice and display point-of-sale warnings stating “this product contains glycerol and is not recommended for children aged four and under”.
Pyramid
FSAI chief Dr Pamela Byrne said: “The Department of Health’s Healthy Eating Guidelines has placed slush ice drinks on the top shelf of the healthy eating food pyramid, meaning that they are not part of a healthy, balanced diet and should only be consumed in moderation as a treat.
“Whilst we do not want to cause parents, guardians or caregivers undue worry, we are advising that no child under four years of age should be consuming these slush ice drinks, and that consumption should be limited to no more than one per day for children aged between five and ten years of age.
“High consumption of glycerolcontaining slush ice drinks over a short period of time by young children could cause headaches, nausea and vomiting.” She added: “On rare occasions, it could potentially lead to severe symptoms such as shock, hypoglycaemia and loss of consciousness.”
The FSAI says it has raised the issue with the European Commission and other member states and any change to the current food additive legislation that may be necessary will have to carried out at European level.