In a recent incident highlighting the risks of trendy foods, a 12-year-old girl from Bengaluru was hospitalized after consuming a liquid nitrogen-infused paan at a wedding. The event took place in the HSR Layout area of the city.
The girl was diagnosed with perforation peritonitis, a serious condition where a hole forms in the stomach, requiring urgent surgery. Doctors performed an exploratory laparotomy, a procedure to examine the abdominal organs, using an endoscope to check her esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. They found a damaged area about 4×5 cm on her stomach’s lesser curvature. To address this, they performed a sleeve gastrectomy, removing part of her stomach. She spent two days in the ICU and was discharged after six days in the hospital.
Reflecting on her experience, the girl shared with the TOI, “I wanted to try the smoky paan like everyone else, but soon after eating it, I felt discomfort that turned into severe stomach pain. While others seemed fine, I felt really sick.”
In April, the Tamil Nadu health department issued a directive that liquid nitrogen must be completely evaporated from food or beverages before they are served. This followed an incident where a boy experienced severe stomach pain and complications after consuming “smoke biscuits” at an exhibition in Davangere.
These cases are part of a growing number of incidents where people have been harmed by foods and drinks containing liquid nitrogen. Often used in restaurants to create a dramatic smoky effect in dishes like sizzlers, liquid nitrogen needs to be handled very carefully by both consumers and food providers.
Liquid nitrogen is extremely cold and can cause severe damage if ingested improperly. It can freeze the tissues in the stomach, leading to serious injuries like the ones seen in these incidents. Therefore, it’s crucial that liquid nitrogen is allowed to evaporate completely before the food or drink is consumed to prevent such dangers.
This story serves as a cautionary tale about the hidden dangers of trendy food and drinks. While they may look exciting and fun, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks they pose. Safety should always come first to avoid serious health issues.
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