His appearance is a magnet for children and adolescents. Multicolored balls made from sugary cereals that are semi-frozen by the smoky effect of liquid nitrogen.
In Indonesia they are called ‘chikibulis’ or ‘chiki ngebul’ and they are the sensation at fairs or at street vendor booths. When customers eat them, nitrogen vapor comes out of their mouths, noses, and even ears.
An image that makes smiles and has gone viral in tiktok, with thousands of videos of young people and children eating the sweets. But the challenge hides a dangerous reality. If liquid nitrogen is consumed before it has evaporated it can cause burns, intestinal perforation, severe breathing difficulties and even death.
In Indonesia, the Ministry of Health has issued a warning against the consumption of liquid nitrogen after 25 minors suffered damage after ingesting ‘Dragon’s Breath’. Two of them had to be hospitalized.
Liquid nitrogen is used in gastronomy and its use has spread since its acquisition in the market is free; where 10 liters can be found from 150 euros. But its effects are harmful if not consumed correctly
You want to know more? It’s 2 min.
How does it work? A sweet included in the dessert menu based on multicolored cereals dipped in sugar and fruit juices. They can be accompanied by other light foods such as popcorn, marshmallows and cream. All wrapped in liquid nitrogen to semi-freeze the mixture.
- The recipe soon spread throughout Asia and now it is very easy to find it on the street, in shopping centers and at fairs. Where food controls are usually conspicuous by their absence.
- That is why it has been possible to open the door to the new challenge that has gone viral on Tiktok. You buy a cartridge of ‘Dragon’s Breath’ on the street, eat it, record how the vapor comes out of your mouth, nose or ears. And everything is posted on the social network in search of popularity.
- “For some teenagers, the experience of dangerous things generates more excitement. They are eager to try it. That is a dangerous thing,” argues Indonesian doctor Dicky Budiman.
The European Comission has threatened Tiktok with prohibiting the use of the social network in community territory if before September 1, 2023 it does not prevent minors from having access to “potentially fatal” videos. Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, warns of the danger: “it is not acceptable that behind apparently fun and harmless features, users take seconds to access harmful and sometimes even life-threatening content.”
How does it affect me? The direct consumption of liquid nitrogen entails serious health problems. In an inadequate proportion, taken before its evaporation, it can cause:
- intestinal perforations
- severe breathing difficulties
In 2018 the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) issued several safety alerts warning that serious injuries could be caused by eating ice cream, cereal or cocktails prepared with liquid nitrogen. In a statement they maintained that the danger persisted “even after the liquid nitrogen has completely evaporated due to the extremely low temperature of the food.”
And meanwhile… In Indonesia, at least 25 children have been poisoned by ‘Dragon’s Breath’ and authorities urge parents, teachers and local health centers to be vigilant. Luckily there have been no deaths to be regretted.
- Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, Director General of the Ministry of Health: “Liquid nitrogen is not only dangerous when consumed but can cause severe respiratory difficulties due to nitrogen vapors that are inhaled for a long time.
- The first case of poisoning was recorded in July 2022, when a child suffered skin burns. In November and December more cases were registered. Including a four-year-old boy who was admitted with severe stomach pains in Jakarta. “Schools need to educate children in the community about the dangers of liquid nitrogen in food to prevent further serious cases of poisoning,” says Maxi Rein Rondonuwu.
Other very dangerous viral challenges…
- The blackout challenge or “blackout challenge,” is a dangerous challenge that went viral on TikTok that involves holding your breath until you can’t take it anymore and passing out. The practice is filmed and shared with the others. The winner is the one who lasts the longest without breathing or fainting. At least it has caused 2 deaths.
- The cinnamon challenge: It has become a long-term viral through YouTube, and the US health authorities have been forced to intervene to warn of its consequences.
The objective challenge is to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon powder in the shortest possible time and without drinking any water. The point is that, since it is impossible to swallow without coughing, most of them end up expelling the cinnamon through their mouths and noses.
Source: Lasexta
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
