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.

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

The researchers studied cases of 21 two-to-seven-years-old in the UK and Ireland who needed emergency treatment soon after drinking a slushy product. These are bright colored drinks which appeal to kids because of their attractive colors.