Indonesia is warning people against drinking liquid nitrogen after more than 20 children were affected by eating a street snack known as ‘dragon’s breath’, which is at the center of a dangerous new viral video trend.
The children suffered skin burns, severe stomach pains and food poisoning after eating colorful candies, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, urging parents, teachers and local health authorities to be vigilant.
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The candies are dipped in liquid nitrogen to create a steamy effect when eaten.
They are popular with children, dozens of whom have uploaded videos to TikTok showing them exhaling fumes from their mouths, noses and ears.
One video showing a street vendor preparing a snack has been viewed about 10 million times.
About 25 children were affected by the candy, including two who were hospitalized, said ministry director general Maxi Rein Rondonuvu. No deaths have been reported.
The use of liquid nitrogen in cooking is not illegal.
Top chefs often use steam to create theatrical effects when serving food. It is clear, colorless and odorless and is commonly used in medical settings and as an ingredient in food freezing.
However, it can be dangerous if used incorrectly.
“Liquid nitrogen is not only dangerous when consumed, it can cause serious breathing problems due to nitrogen vapors that are inhaled for a long time,” Maxi said.
According to the ministry, the first case was reported in July 2022, when a child from a village in Ponorogo district in East Java suffered frostbite on the skin after eating a snack.
More cases were reported in November and December, including a four-year-old boy who was hospitalized in the capital Jakarta with severe stomach pain.
“Schools should educate children in the community about the dangers of liquid nitrogen in food to prevent more cases of severe food poisoning,” Maxi said.
“I don’t recommend this to anyone”
In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that eating foods such as ice cream, cereal, or shakes made with liquid nitrogen could cause serious injury.
“Injuries have occurred as a result of handling or eating foods prepared by adding liquid nitrogen just before consumption, even after the liquid nitrogen has completely evaporated due to the extremely low temperature of the food,” the FDA said in a statement.
“It’s a dangerous chemical compound,” said Clarence Yeoh, a physician in Singapore.
“It irritates the stomach and can cause burns in the mouth and esophagus. Children will be especially sensitive to (its effects) if it is eaten in large quantities.”
Yeoh warned that he would “advise no one to eat it.”
“You can end up in the hospital, and in the worst case, organs can be damaged,” he said.
