Children under eight should not drink slushy ice drinks containing glycerol, researchers have warned after a string of hospitalizations in the UK and Ireland. The brightly colored drinks marketed towards children often use glycerol as a sweetener and anti-freezing agent.

Children should completely avoid "slushy" ice drinks containing glycerol, which can make them very ill, until they are at least eight years old, say researchers calling for official health advice to change.

Health experts have called for a ban on slushies for children under eight in the UK following new research into glycerol intoxication syndrome.