Open Letter to The Food Standards Agency

Dear Food Standards Agency,

We are writing to express our shared concerns about the continued use of glycerol (E422) in slush ice drinks (‘slushies’), particularly in drinks accessible to or marketed towards children.

While we welcome the Food Standards Agency’s updated guidance recognising the risks associated with glycerol consumption in young children, we are concerned that the current measures do not go far enough to prevent avoidable harm. These drinks remain widely available in child-focused environments, with inconsistent labelling and serving sizes that frequently exceed your own recommendations.

Key Concerns

1. Health Risks to Children

The evidence is clear that slush drinks containing glycerol pose serious health risks to children when consumed in large volumes over a short period, including:

Headaches and vomiting

• Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)

• Shock

• Loss of consciousness

The FSA has already acknowledged that children under seven should not consume these drinks, and that children under 10 should be limited to a single 350ml serving per day. However, these limits are not legally enforced and are routinely exceeded in a wide range of locations in the UK, such as cinemas, bowling alleys, fun fairs and even corner shops.  

2. Lack of Clear Labelling and Accountability

There is currently no legal requirement for front-of-pack labelling to alert parents or guardians to the presence of glycerol. This leaves families unaware and without the clear guidance they need to make informed decisions.

3. Oversized Portions and Multiple Servings

Slush drinks are often sold in 500ml to 1-litre portions, far exceeding your recommended daily maximum. There are no controls in place to prevent children from purchasing multiple servings, particularly in venues such as cinemas, theme parks, and takeaways where these drinks are heavily promoted.

4. Risks from Ready-to-Drink Pouches and Home Kits

Slush concentrates and pre-frozen pouches containing glycerol are increasingly sold for home use. These products can easily be consumed repeatedly without adult supervision, increasing the risk of overexposure in a short period, particularly at parties or during hot weather.

Our Recommendation: A Ban for Under-16s

Based on the finding in our report, we are calling on the Food Standards Agency to:

Introduce a ban on the sale and marketing of slush ice drinks containing glycerol to children under 16. Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to the effects of glycerol, and the environments in which these drinks are sold are not conducive to portion control or safe usage. A ban would be consistent with other age-related food safety measures and would send a clear public health message to families, schools, and retailers.

Additonal Recommendations

• Mandatory front-of-pack labelling on all products containing glycerol, including home-use kits and pouches, with a clear warning that they are not suitable for children under 16.

• Limits on portion sizes and a requirement for responsible retailing in hospitality and entertainment venues.

A public awareness campaign, particularly during warmer months, to raise awareness among parents and carers about the potential risks of glycerol exposure.

We have produced a report compiling evidence on the health risks associated with glycerol consumption in children, along with detailed recommendations for effective policy interventions. We would welcome the opportunity to share this report with your team and discuss the findings. 

These risks are avoidable. The current voluntary guidance leaves too much room for confusion, inconsistent practice, and unnecessary exposure to a known hazard. Children and families deserve stronger protections backed by clear legislation, compulsory labelling, and consistent public messaging.

We urge the Food Standards Agency to act by introducing a ban on glycerol-containing slush drinks for under-16s, along with strengthened labelling and sale restrictions, to protect the health and well-being of children across the UK.

You can view our evidence-based report here: Slushie Report (1).pdf - Google Drive

Yours sincerely,

Alice Haley BSc ANutr and Madeline Blackburn

Please see the support from our signatories below, who are all Registered Nutritionists, Dietitians or Public Health Professionals who support our campaign.

Signatories:
Abigayle Quick BSc ANutr
Abigail Attenborough MSc ANutr
Abigail Humphrey ANutr
Alex Dowding BSc, MSc, mBANT
Alice Haley BSc ANutr
Becky Greenwood ANutr
Beth Bradshaw MSc ANutr
Bryony Landricombe BSc MSc ANutr
Charley Watts ANutr
Cherrelle Beckitt
Codie O'Coy MSc ANutr
Cora Morris BSc
Elen Lindsay (Registered Dietitian)
Emma Banks BSc ANutr
Emily Jeffrey BSc ANutr
Georgia Spence BSc ANutr
Grace Hollinrake BSc MSc ANutr
Hannah Dearden RNutr. Registered Nutritionist (AfN)
Hayley Martin - Public Health Specialist 0-19yrs, North Somerset Council
James Collier BSc (Hons) RNutr
Joanne Garcia BSc ANutr
Joanne Pulling BSc ANutr
Josey Crane Burrows
Joshua Clamp MSc RNutr
Karishma Shah MSc RNutr
Katherine Corbett BSc ANutr
Katie McGeown (RD, BsC Nutrition and Dietetics)
Llion Griffiths BSc RNutr
Lorna Bell BSc ANutr
Louise Mercieca, Early Years Nutrition Consultant
Madeline Blackburn
Mali Price MSc ANutr
Manuela Sofia Vignau Sumar, ANutr
Marissa Milton ANutr
Nichola Ludlam-Raine, BSc (hons), PG Dip, MSc, RD, mBDA - HCPC
Nicole Rothband MSc RD
Pranavi Katreddy MSc ANutr
Rachel Cox BSc ANutr
Rachael Allen BSc ANutr
Rachel Davies ANutr
Rhiannon Lambert RNutr
Ruth Tongue, BSc, MSc Nutr
Samantha Parker MSc ANutr
Sophie Gastman RNutr (Public Health)
Talia Engel MSc ANutr
Victoria Malcolm mANP DipCNM