A two-year old girl was left "20 minutes from death" after consuming a Slush Puppie at her friend's birthday party - as her horrified Gran issued a stark warning over the drink.
Arla Agnew, from Stranraer, had been enjoying the icy blue beverage at the Saturday event but started to show signs of severe illness just half an hour later. The toddler began to complain of fatigue before her body turned grey and she lost consciousness.
Arla's gran, Stacey Agnew, knew something was amiss with the usually lively little girl, but was horrified when Arla suddenly seemed lifeless. Stacey, 39, hurriedly took her granddaughter to Galloway Community Hospital on July 27, where doctors found she was in hypoglycemic shock, reports the Daily Record.
At the hospital, Arla was connected to an IV tube to help stabilise her condition, before being rushed to Dumfries and Galloway Hospital for further treatment.
Recounting the horrifying ordeal, Stacey said: "We were at the park and usually you can't get Arla away from it, but after she drank the Slush Puppie she started crying. She said she was tired so we took her home."
Stacey mentioned that Arla began rapidly losing and regaining consciousness and complained about feeling cold. She added: "We decided to take her to the local hospital but she became unresponsive in the car. It had only been half an hour since she had the drink, but we had no idea what was wrong."
"When we got to A&E they hooked her up to machines they checked her blood sugar. She was completely lifeless. I didn't think she was going to make it."
Arla's blood sugar levels were dangerously low and Stacey said she was told the drink had caused the issue after talking with the hospital's paediatric team.
She added: "We found out that Slush Puppies caused her illness and that there should be a warning on the syrup bottles to say they are not recommended for children under four."
"Before Arla was discharged, the doctor told us if we had been just 20 minutes later, things would have been very different. She could have died."
"It was one of the scariest days of my life. You would never think that you could nearly lose your granddaughter just because she drank a slush puppy."
Hypoglycaemia is where the level of sugar (glucose) in your blood drops too low. Slush Puppie drinks contain the ingredient Glycerol - which in high quantities can make children go into a hypoglycemic shock.
The Food Standards Agency has stated that manufacturers should carry a warning on their products since August 2023, but Stacey claims Arla's friend's mum only bought the product from B&M in July this year.
Images of the drink Arla consumed show that the labelling does not carry a warning. Stacey now wants other families to know the risks of Glycerol, without having to rely on product guidance.
Stacey issued a heartfelt plea, urging: "I'm urging parents, family members and carers of wee ones to check everything they are going to give to kids for the levels of glycerol in them. I have a big family and none of us knew the risks."
She added in disbelief: "Who actually thinks to themselves 'This slush puppy could kill my child or grandchild?" In her warning, she continued: "When it's warm, you don't think that giving them a treat to cool them down means you might never see them again."
"We could have lost our precious girl. I don't want other families going through this", Stacey cautioned after the scare.
Following the incident, Stacey shared that Arla was back home, sharing: "Arla was discharged from hospital when medics returned her blood sugars to normal levels and has not returned to her usual, bubbly self."
Recalling the official stance, a Food Standards Scotland spokesperson informed: "FSS is aware of a recent case of illness associated with consumption of a slush ice drink."
"Slush ice drinks, or 'slushies', can contain the ingredient glycerol as a substitute for sugar at a level required to create the 'slush' effect."
While acknowledging glycerol's general safety, they pointed out: "Although glycerol is generally of low toxicity, there are concerns about its effect on young children when large quantities are consumed over a short time."
Warning of the potential consequences, the spokesperson revealed: "At very high levels of exposure, such as when several of these products are consumed by a child in a short space of time, glycerol can cause glycerol intoxication which can cause shock, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and loss of consciousness."
"FSS recommend that children four years of age and under should not consume these drinks".
A spokesperson for B&M stated: "We have inspected the current stock and confirmed that the packaging adheres to the Food Standards Agency's recommended guidance: 'Product contains glycerol. Not recommended for children 4 years of age and under'."
Slush Puppies has been approached for a statement.
What exactly is Slush Puppie ingredient glycerol, and why is it a risk for kids?
Glycerol, a sweetening agent that's odourless and used in Slush Puppies syrup to achieve that signature thick 'slushy' texture, can be dangerous when not used correctly.
By mixing ice with the syrup in a machine, you get the beloved slush drink, but incorrect usage can lead to dangerously high levels of glycerol.
Although glycerol is present in other food items, its concentration in slush ice drinks is significantly higher.
For tots under four, consuming large amounts of this substance can lead to glycerol poisoning.
Signs of glycerol poisoning include sweating, tremors, fatigue, confusion, tingling lips, rapid heartbeat, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness and convulsions.
Hypoglycemia, a serious health issue marked by critically low blood sugar levels, can develop if not addressed.
Untreated hypoglycemia can cause a rapid decline in blood sugar, leading to severe symptoms that demand urgent medical care.
After two incidents in Scotland, one in 2021 and another in 2022, where youngsters were hospitalised due to glycerol poisoning, the Food Standards Association (FSA) has issued advice for parents and manufacturers.
Toddlers under four years old are advised not to consume any products containing Glycerol, and manufacturers are now being urged to include warning labels on their packaging.
Those over the age of four are deemed unlikely to experience adverse effects from consuming a single slush drink, as the impact of glycerol is linked to body weight.
