Food hygiene specialist calls for clearer safety advice on glycerol levels in alcoholic slushies
Frozen cocktails are booming this summer, served in pubs, festivals, and even mobile vans—but a food hygiene expert has issued a warning: it’s not just the alcohol that could leave you feeling unwell.
According to Mark McShane, expert at Food Hygiene Certificate, many frozen alcoholic drinks contain glycerol, the same additive under review by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for causing nausea, headaches, and even unconsciousness when consumed in large amounts.
“Most people know their limits when it comes to alcohol. But with frozen cocktails, you’re also drinking potentially high volumes of glycerol, a substance that affects the body,especially when mixed with spirits,” McShane explains.
“It’s not about banning frozen cocktails—it’s about awareness. When people are dehydrated, in the sun, or drinking multiple slushies back-to-back, the risk of glycerol intoxication becomes very real.”
Glycerol: The Hidden Ingredient in the UK’s Summer Drink Craze
- Used to keep frozen drinks smooth and slush-like
- In large quantities, can cause vomiting, dizziness, and even loss of consciousness
- Effects can be amplified by alcohol, dehydration, and heat
The FSA has warned that repeated or excessive intake of glycerol is a public health concern—but adult frozen drinks remain largely unlabelled and unregulated, especially in non-chain venues.
“A lot of mobile bars and independent pubs aren’t aware of the FSA guidance, especially when it comes to frozen cocktails,” says McShane. “And customers certainly aren’t—because no one is telling them.”
With heatwaves predicted to continue, McShane is calling for:
- Clear signage for drinks containing glycerol
- Staff training on maximum serving sizes
- Public messaging to treat frozen drinks with the same caution as high-caffeine or energy beverages