() — Indonesia has issued a warning against the consumption of liquid nitrogen after more than 20 children were harmed by eating a street snack known as “dragon’s breath,” the subject of a dangerous new viral video.
The children suffered skin burns, severe stomach pains and food poisoning after consuming the colorful candies, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, which is urging parents, teachers and local health authorities to be vigilant.
The candies are submerged in liquid nitrogen to create a steam effect when eaten. They are very popular with children, dozens of whom have uploaded videos to the TikTok app in which they are seen expelling the vapors through their mouths, noses and ears. A video showing the preparation of this snack by a street vendor has been viewed close to 10 million times.
Some 25 children have been injured by consuming the candies, including two who were hospitalized, Ministry Director General Maxi Rein Rondonuwu said. No deaths have been reported.
“Dragon’s breath” snacks at a night market in Pekanbaru, Indonesia, in 2019. (Credit: Afrianto Silalahi/NurPhoto/Zuma Press)
The use of liquid nitrogen in food preparation is not illegal. Great chefs often use steamers to create theatrical effects when serving dishes. It is transparent, colorless and odorless, and is commonly used in medical settings and as an ingredient for freezing foods.
However, if not used correctly, it can be dangerous.
“Liquid nitrogen is not only dangerous when consumed, but it can cause severe respiratory difficulties from nitrogen vapors that are inhaled for a long time,” Maxi said.
According to the Ministry, the first case was recorded in July 2022, when a boy from a village in Ponorogo Regency, East Java, suffered cold burns to his skin after eating the sandwich.
More cases were reported in November and December, including a 4-year-old boy who was admitted to a hospital in the capital, Jakarta, with severe stomach pains.
“Schools need to educate children in the community about the dangers of liquid nitrogen in food (to) prevent more serious cases of food poisoning,” Maxi said.
“I wouldn’t advise anyone to eat it”
In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued security alerts in which he warned that serious injuries could be caused by eating foods such as ice cream, cereals or cocktails prepared with liquid nitrogen.
“Injuries have occurred from handling or eating products prepared by adding liquid nitrogen immediately prior to consumption, even after the liquid nitrogen has completely evaporated due to the extremely low temperature of the food,” the FDA noted.
“This is a dangerous chemical compound,” said Clarence Yeo, a Singapore-based physician. “It is irritating to the stomach and can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus. Children would be especially sensitive (to its effects) if consumed in large amounts.”
Yeo cautioned that he “would not advise anyone to eat it.”
“You could end up in the hospital, and in the worst case, you could damage your organs,” he said.
