In Indonesia, authorities recently warned of a TikTok trend involving ‘chiki ngebul’ or ‘dragon’s breath’, a very popular candy in the archipelago, reports The Guardian. These rainbow-colored treats dipped in liquid nitrogen have indeed resulted in injuries to around 25 children, with two cases of hospitalization. However, the number of injured children could be much higher.
These sweets, present for several years in Indonesia, are more and more widespread and accessible on the stalls of street vendors. Before serving, they are immersed in liquid nitrogen, to give them a smoky appearance that is the source of their success on social networks. While liquid nitrogen is a legal and commonly used ingredient in cooking, it is however necessary to wait for the smoke to clear before consuming the treats.
A poisonous gas
However, on dozens of videos surfing on the TikTok trend around these sweets, we can see children consuming them without respecting this waiting time, in order to make more “spectacular” videos. However, as recalled by Dr. Dicky Budiman, an Indonesian doctor and researcher in global health security at Griffith University, the ingestion of liquid nitrogen can have serious consequences, such as skin burns and intestinal perforations. Nitrogen ingestion can even cause severe breathing difficulties, even death, in the most severe cases.
According to the Indonesian government, reported by CNN, a first case of injuries linked to this candy was recorded in July 2022. Other cases have then appeared since November, with in particular a 4-year-old child hospitalized. As a result, authorities have called on schools to educate younger children about the dangers of liquid nitrogen. The use of this gas in the kitchen could also be the objective of increased surveillance. Finally, more generally, the government advised against buying “dragon’s breath” from street vendors.