Child encounters close brush with death after consuming icy slushy beverage, making them the second youngster to experience such an incident.
In a chilling incident on October 13, 2023, a four-year-old boy named Albie from the UK found himself in a life-threatening situation, just an hour after consuming a strawberry-flavoured iced slushy drink. This incident, unfortunately, is not an isolated case, as it follows a similar incident involving a three-year-old boy named Angus in January 2024.
The incident unfolded during a bowling alley outing with a friend. After dropping off his friend, Albie's condition worsened. His mother, Beth Green, noticed a change in his demeanor within half an hour, as he became tired and agitated. Despite attempts to feed him at McDonald's, Albie refused to eat and continued to scream and appear distressed in his car seat.
The situation became critical when Albie was taken to the hospital, where medical professionals initiated life-saving measures, including resuscitation. There was a moment when it was unclear if Albie was breathing during the incident. Fortunately, after three days in the hospital, Albie recovered, but the diagnosis revealed that the slushy caused glycerol intolerance.
Glycerol, also known as E422, is a common ingredient in slush drinks, used to prevent freezing, maintain slushiness, and act as a sugar-free sweetener. While glycerol is generally low in toxicity for adults and older children, young children struggle to process it due to their lower body weight. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has linked high levels of glycerol exposure to shock, hypoglycemia, and loss of consciousness. Symptoms of glycerol intoxication can include sweating, lethargy, irritability, and loss of consciousness.
In response to these incidents, the FSA has taken action. In 2023, the FSA introduced new guidance for slushy drinks, recommending that no one under the age of four be sold the drink due to the dangerous additive. The FSA is currently investigating the safety of glycerol in food products for children under the age of four.
It's worth noting that the FSA has not issued any warnings or recalls for other food products containing glycerol. Additionally, there have been no reported cases of glycerol intoxication from slushy drinks in adults or older children.
The FSA specifically cited slushy drinks due to the high levels of glycerol they contain. Glycerol is used in larger quantities in slush drinks to maintain their consistency, making them a potential danger to young children.
As parents and caregivers, it's essential to be vigilant about the foods and drinks we give to our children, especially those under the age of four. The incidents involving Albie and Angus serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers hidden in seemingly innocuous items.
Despite the investigations and precautions, there are still questions that remain unanswered. For instance, there are no search results providing information about the age of the boy from Scotland who experienced a life-threatening situation after drinking a slushy in January 2024. As more information becomes available, it's crucial to stay informed and ensure the safety of our children.
Read also:
- Inadequate supply of accessible housing overlooks London's disabled community
- Strange discovery in EU: Rabbits found with unusual appendages resembling tentacles on their heads
- Duration of a Travelling Blood Clot: Time Scale Explained
- Fainting versus Seizures: Overlaps, Distinctions, and Proper Responses
