Mum's urgent warning against giving popular summer drink to children under the age of 8 & the reason why is terrifying
Sherene, a mum-of-two, took to TikTok to
summer
holidays.
2
Slushies may seem like a harmless drink to treat kids to on holiday
Credit: Getty
2
But one mum has revealed they come with major health risks
Credit: tiktok/@shercyrusx
The mum, from the UK, was on holiday at the time, and spotted plenty of parents letting their children drink slushies by the pool.
But she said there were some serious hidden dangers lurking in the icy drink.
She said: "The amount of people I have seen whilst being on holiday, giving their one-year-old and two-year-old slush puppies is beyond me."
While the mum picked out the name-brand of the
frozen
drinks, it wasn't just Slush Puppies that could pose a danger, as any at-home or pre-made frozen slushie drink could be a risk.
READ MORE ON PARENTING
"Now I know a lot of people are uneducated on it. So I'm going to share a few facts on why I will never give my child or children Slush Puppies, at least until they are 10 years old," she continued.
Glycerol is a key ingredient in the drinks as it stops the liquid from freezing solid.
But too much glycerol can have dangerous effects on children under 10.
At high levels, it can cause Glycerol Intoxication which can cause shock, hypoglycaemia and loss of consciousness.
Most read in Fabulous
Now, most slushies are made with low levels, but vendors may not measure the amount of the liquid properly which could pose a danger, says Sherene.
The mum added: "Instead of measuring the correct amount of glycerol in each cup or in each machine, they will just keep topping it up.
I bought a dated caravan & turned it into my family's very own second home for £4.5k - now we holiday for just £10 a day
"So they never know the exact amount and that can potentially unalive your child.
"I would rather my child scream the shop down instead of giving her a Slush Puppy."
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has now updated its guidance to state that slush ice drinks containing glycerol are not suitable for children under seven.
Earlier this year, the
Members of the food watchdog's board called for the change after reviewing evidence on the risk of glycerol to young children's health.
Slush ice drinks can contain glycerol - also called E422 or glycerine on some labels - as a substitute for sugar to prevent them from freezing solid.
The sugar substitute is also found in some other foods, but at much lower quantities than in slush ice drinks.
"I give my kids a lot of things to make my life easier. Slush puppy will not be one of them. It's just so, so dangerous. It's not worth it," Sherene said.
The clip was shared on her TikTok account @
Parents were quick to thank her for the warning in the comments.
One person wrote: "I gave my toddler a Slush Puppie I didn't know that they are dangerous. I don't understand why there isn't any awareness on this or age restriction!!! Thank you for sharing."
Swimming safety advice
Experts have revealed some of their top advice for both adults and kids heading to the water this summer
:
How to stay safe at the beach
Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI said: "If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, try to relax and float until you are free from the rip and you can then swim to safety.
"If you see someone else in danger, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard."
How to stay safe at the swimming pool
"It only takes 20 seconds to drown, little tips like this could save a life".
An Auqabliss spokesperson added: 'Swimming toys such as noodles, dive rings, floaties and beach balls can be dangerous if left in the pool.
'Children may try to grab these from the pool's edge and fall in."
How to stay safe at a waterpark
Ali Beckman,
"And wave pools should be avoided until your child is really confident with water going over their faces and you know they are able to regain their feet independently.
'
Another commented: "Why don't they put an age restriction on them?"
"Well I don't watch the
news
and this is the first I have heard about it, thank you for the awareness, we go on holiday
next
month and it will be a big nope for them to have one now," penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: "I didn't know this at ALL. I take my kids to the cinema regularly and I always get them a slushie."
"Thank you for educating us! Because I was so unaware until last week! Thank you mummaaa,' claimed a fifth
Someone else added: "I've been a parent for 12 years and I literally never knew this!! I mean a slush puppy is a very rare treat for my children but that's mad!"
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Warning over surge in cases of deadly bacteria in UK that kills one in 10 – check 3 symptoms to watch out for
BRITS have been warned as a deadly bacteria that kills one in 10 sufferers has spiked in the UK. Cases of the "worst diarrhoea ever" are rising - here are three symptoms to watch out for. Advertisement 2 The infection stems from a highly contagious bacterium, which lives in people's bowel Credit: Getty Clostridioides difficile, otherwise known as C. diff, has killed more than one in 10 cases from 2023 to 2024. Concerned doctors are warning the death toll could continue to soar if action isn't taken. The infection stems from a highly contagious bacterium, which lives in people's bowel. Dr Kerrie Davies of the C. Diff Trust told Advertisement Read More She said people "can't function" when struck down with the nasty bacteria. "Patients with it tell us how scared they are. It is the worst diarrhoea that you have ever, ever had in your life," added the expert. From February 2024 to January 2025, the UK Health Security Agency received 19,239 reports of C. diff sufferers. This alarming figure is the highest since 2011/12. Advertisement Most read in Health Exclusive Exclusive Huge efforts to tackle the potentially killer bug were taken in 2007, which helped reduce the rate of infections. The most common symptoms to recognise are severe diarrhoea, high temperature and stomach ache. ITV reality star rushed to A&E as she shares worrying hospital bed snaps Stats revealed 2,164 patients died from C. diff from 2023 to 2024, which translates to a 12.9 per cent fatality rate. When it reached it's peak in 2007, over 7,000 people lost their lives. Advertisement It is actually normal to have C. diff bacteria in your bowel, without experiencing any trouble. However, problems arise when the normal balance is disrupted, and you become infected. And, those who are diagnosed with the bug onCe, are 25 per cent more likely to catch it again. Bizarrely, if you catch it a second time, there's a 40 per cent chance you'll get it a third time. Advertisement After this, you'll be a staggeringly 60 per cent more likely to be struck down with it again. The risk of death increases with each infection too. Cases have been spiking across all ages and sexes across the UK, but the worst affected group has so far been the elderly. Dr Davies further explained how the medical profession has "taken their eye off the ball" since the Covid pandemic. Advertisement But the NHS is struggling to keep up with the costs, as each case can cost between £19,000 to £31,000 to treat. The eye-watering sum is partly down to the quarantine precautions required, and isolation of nurses. However, even if people do recover, they're likely to experience long-lasting systems which can continue affecting them forever. Campaigners trying to bring figures down have been calling for the medical industry to do routine tests for C. diff in all patients who come in with diarrhoea. Advertisement They also argue antibiotics need to stop being overprescribed. Meanwhile, Russell Hope, UKHSA Senior Scientist and Team Lead, said: "UKHSA is working alongside partners, including NHS England, to investigate recent increases in C. difficile cases in hospitals and community settings. "It's likely the current rise is caused by a combination of factors, including an ageing population with multiple illnesses. Work to identify the causes is ongoing and the appropriate public health action will be taken in response to our findings. "C. difficile is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs)." Advertisement He said the "infections diarrhoea" which can "increase morbidity, mortality and hospital length of stay". The expert warned the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk. Mr Hope explained infections are best managed through "prevention and control" alongside strict monitoring. C. diff symptoms According to the NHS; Symptoms of a C. diff infection diarrhoea a high temperature loss of appetite feeling sick a stomach ache How you get a C. diff infection C. diff bacteria usually live harmlessly in your bowel along with lots of other types of bacteria. But sometimes when you take antibiotics, the balance of bacteria in your bowel can change, causing an infection. When someone has a C. diff infection, it can spread to other people very easily if the bacteria found in the person's poo get onto objects and surfaces. Who's at risk You're more likely to get a C. diff infection if: you're over 65 years you're taking, or have recently taken, antibiotics you're staying in hospital or a care home for a long time you have a weakened immune system – for example, from having a long-term condition like diabetes or kidney failure, or treatment like chemotherapy you're taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as omeprazole, or other medicines that reduce stomach acid you've had a C. diff infection in the past 2 Stats revealed 2,164 patients died from from 2023 to 2024 Credit: Getty Advertisement
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Charley Hull issues health update after golfer carried off on stretcher following collapse at Evian Championship
BRITISH golf star Charley Hull has issued an update on her condition after being carried off the course on a stretcher at the Amundi Evian Championship in France. The 29-year-old was 6 Hull was forced to quit after collapsing twice Credit: Getty 6 Hull needed urgent medical help Credit: Getty 6 She collapsed twice at the tournament and got carried off on stretcher Credit: Twitter The world No19 was struck down by a virus she'd been battling for days. Hull first showed signs of distress early in her round, sitting down in a bunker on the third hole looking unwell. Just moments later, she collapsed near the fourth tee. Despite a 15-minute medical delay, the Kettering-born golfer bravely tried to carry on, even managing to get to one under through 12 holes. But after hitting her tee shot on the 13th, she collapsed agai, bringing her round and her tournament to an early and heartbreaking end. Clearly gutted to pull out, Hull was overheard saying: "I was playing pretty well but I feel faint." She also noted she had trouble with her eyesight. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Most read in Golf Having started to feel better again, she has now taken to social media to reassure fans. She wrote on her Instagram page: "Not the Evian Championship I was hoping for. English amateur Lottie Woad wins first Ladies European Tour 6 "Been struggling with a virus all week but it got the better of me yesterday. "Thanks to the medics who took care of me and to all those who have reached out with messages of support, it's really appreciated. "Happy to say I'm feeling a lot better today, just gutted I can't play the weekend at such a fantastic tournament.' Hull's illness comes amid reports that a virus has been affecting several players in the field. Swedish US Open champ Maja Stark and Swiss rising star Chiara Tamburlini are also believed to have been hit in the build-up to the event. 6 Hull needed to sit down in a bunker after feeling unwell Credit: Twitter 6 She's now updated her fans that she's feeling better Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The little-known BBQ danger than could prove deadly as warning issued – and the two hour rule you need to follow
AN urgent warning has been issued over a little-known BBQ danger that could prove deadly - and the two-hour rule you need to follow. As Advertisement 2 Food safety bosses have given top tips you must follow before lighting up the grill Credit: Getty 2 Not following them may lead to serious foodborne illnesses Credit: Getty The food Top of the list is cleaning your barbecue before and after each use, as leftover grease and food residue can allow bacteria to build up over time. Safefood recommends scrubbing the grill with a brush and using hot, soapy water before cooking begins and repeating the process once the grill has cooled down. Leaving Advertisement READ MORE IN HEALTH Safefood advises that all perishable foods should be kept in the fridge until needed and that any leftovers should be returned to the fridge within two hours to stay safe for later use. They are also reminding people that frozen meat should never go straight onto the Instead, all meat and poultry should be completely defrosted in the fridge, so that it cooks thoroughly from edge to centre on the grill. Cross-contamination was another common concern, with Safefood advising to always keep raw and cooked foods apart during preparation and cooking. Advertisement MOST READ IN HEALTH Exclusive Exclusive Exclusive This includes using separate chopping boards, utensils and plates and ensuring hands are washed thoroughly before and after handling raw meat. Undercooked food is a major contributor to food poisoning, and the food safety bosses said that it is important to use a meat thermometer and do a temperature check. Expert's warning over common barbecue myths that pose 'dangerous health risk' as Brits' grilling blunders revealed Burgers, chicken, sausages and kebabs should reach an internal temperature of 75°C to be safe or be piping hot throughout with no pink meat and juices that run clear. Trish Twohig, Director of Food Safety at Safefood, said that taking small steps like these can make a big difference. Advertisement She said: 'Hosting a barbecue should be a relaxed and enjoyable experience. "By following these food safety tips, you can protect your guests and ensure your barbecue is a success." Chef Adrian Martin added that basic He said: "Getting the barbecue right is all about enjoying great food safely. Advertisement 'Simple steps like using a meat thermometer and keeping raw and cooked foods separate are key to a delicious and worry-free summer feast. 'Follow Safefood's advice, and you'll be grilling with confidence!" Safefood also offered a few extra tips for anyone planning a barbecue, starting with checking the fridge for expired items before heading out to They also suggest pre-cooking meat in the oven before finishing it on the barbecue, which helps to save time and guarantees it is cooked all the way through. Advertisement
