Hole in stomach, surgery done: ‘Liquid Nitrogen’ food trend turns out to be disastrous for 12-year-old in Bengaluru

Another tragic incident of a food trend turning out to be horrific for a 12-year-old girl has surfaced from Karnataka’s Bengaluru, where the minor was left with a hole in her stomach after she ate ‘Paan’ infused with liquid nitrogen at a wedding ceremony. 

According to the reports, soon after the incident, she was rushed to the hospital where she was diagnosed with a condition called perforation peritonitis, a hole in the stomach. As per doctors, they had to remove the portion of the stomach which was about 4x5 cm, with the hole via sleeve gastrectomy.

The minor who was in the intensive care unit for 2 days, has now been discharged from the hospital after being there for six days. Meanwhile, medical experts have warned about the risk of using liquid nitrogen in an experimental way in food. Similar cases have been reported from different parts of the country, where negligence was seen in using the chemical.

Notably, this is not the first time; another such incident was reported from Tamil Nadu, where a boy was seen eating ‘smoking biscuits’ after which he was hospitalized. Taking swift action, the state government’s Food Safety Department (FSD) has ordered the ban of the chemical which is dangerous if consumed in foods.

However, there is no such ban in Karnataka. As per reports, the senior officials have asked the department concerned to take action against such people who are found to be seen misusing it, as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The detailed directive on the use of liquid nitrogen is yet to be issued.