A free, print-ready A4 poster for any venue serving slush drinks. It puts the FSA's glycerol age guidance in front of staff, parents and carers right where drinks are bought.
At a glance
What it is
A printable A4 poster warning that slush ice drinks contain glycerol, with the FSA age guidance.
The poster is a single A4 awareness sheet you display wherever slush ice drinks are sold. Its headline states plainly that these drinks contain glycerol and that children under 7 should not consume them. A clear illustration of a twin-tank slush machine anchors the message so it reads instantly, even from across a counter.
Around the image, three short call-outs carry the key points: children under 10 should have a maximum of one 350ml slushie per day - about the size of a fizzy drink can; glycerol can cause sickness and headaches in young children; and a link to food.gov.uk/glycerol for the full guidance. There is no complex text - a parent or a member of staff can take in the whole message in a few seconds.
Why it matters
Glycerol (E422) is added to slush drinks to stop them freezing solid, which is what gives them their signature texture. It is an approved additive and fine for most people, but young children are more vulnerable to its effects, especially if they drink one quickly or have more than one in a short space of time.
The Food Standards Agency advises that children under 7 should not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol, and that children aged 7 to 10 should have no more than one 350ml serving per day. At very high levels of exposure - typically several servings in a short period - glycerol can cause headaches and sickness, and in more serious cases shock, very low blood sugar and loss of consciousness. The FSA's advice covers ready-to-drink slushies as well as pouches and home kits made with glycerol concentrate.
Displaying the poster helps you pass that guidance on to the people making the decision at the counter. That said, the poster is an awareness and training aid: it supports good practice, but it is not compliance in itself. You remain responsible for following current FSA advice and your local authority's expectations; always check food.gov.uk/glycerol for the latest position.
Glycerol slushy warning poster in situ on a wall within a cinema lobby area.
Where to display it
Put the poster where the buying decision happens, so the guidance is seen before a drink is ordered rather than after:
On or beside the slush machine: the first place a child or parent looks.
At the till or kiosk window: where the order is placed and paid for.
On menu boards and price lists: next to where slush drinks are listed.
At self-serve stations: if customers fill their own cups, make it unmissable.
How to get the most from it
Print in colour. The colour-coded drinks and call-outs are easier to read at a glance.
Laminate it. Slush areas get wet and sticky, lamination keeps it clean and legible.
Size it up if needed. A4 suits most counters; print larger for busy foyers or self-serve stations.
Brief your team. Make sure everyone serving can explain the under-7 and 7-to-10 guidance.
Keep it current. Re-check food.gov.uk/glycerol now and again and reprint if the advice changes.
Frequently asked questions
Why do slush ice drinks contain glycerol?
Glycerol (E422) is added to many slush drinks to stop them freezing solid, keeping the soft 'slush' texture. It is an approved additive, but in young children consuming it quickly or in large amounts can cause health effects, which is why the FSA sets age-based guidance.
What is the FSA guidance on glycerol in slush drinks for children?
The Food Standards Agency advises that children under 7 should not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol, and children aged 7 to 10 should have no more than one 350ml serving per day, roughly the size of a fizzy drink can.
Does displaying this poster make my business compliant?
No. The poster is an awareness and training aid that helps you communicate the FSA guidance, but it does not by itself make your business compliant. You remain responsible for following current FSA advice, any product or labelling requirements, and your local authority's expectations. Always check food.gov.uk/glycerol for the latest position.
Where should I display the glycerol poster?
Display it where customers order - by the slush machine, at the till or kiosk window, and on or near menu boards, so parents and carers see the age guidance before buying a drink.
Ready to go further than a poster?
A poster raises awareness; trained staff act on it. These two EHO-approved courses cover the food safety knowledge behind serving drinks safely; one for everyone on the counter, one for the person responsible for systems and signage.
Level 2 · All staff
Level 2 Food Hygiene
Essential food safety for anyone serving food and drink, including slush. Choose the catering, retail, early years, manufacturing or schools version.
Free glycerol slush warning poster — print it and display it by your slush machine so the FSA age guidance is clear at the point of sale. No sign-up: https://www.thesaferfoodgroup.com/slushy.php
About the author
CG
Clare Grantham
Course & Content Writer
Clare is one of our course and content writers, with a wealth of experience in both food safety and education. Early career experience in catering and hospitality (chiefly fish and chip shops!) led Clare to undertake various roles, supporting voluntary organisations to achieve safe processes and 5 star ratings within their catering operations. Alongside a postgraduate qualification in education, and a university staff development role, this experience has enabled Clare to develop quality learning materials and resources that address topics from the food handler and business owner's perspective.
