Viral Food Trends & Your Child’s Safety: Protecting Kids from Scald Burns
Are popular social media food trends putting your child at risk? A surge in burn injuries linked to viral challenges is prompting urgent warnings from pediatric burn specialists.
Nearly 95% of children under 17 are active on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. While these platforms offer connection and entertainment, they also expose young, impressionable children – particularly those aged 8-10 – to potentially hazardous viral trends.Increasingly, these trends center around food, and doctors are seeing a concerning rise in severe scald burns as an inevitable result.
The “Tippy Soup” Danger: instant Noodles & Scald Burns
One of the most recent concerns revolves around instant noodles, popularized by the Netflix animated series K-Pop Demon Hunters.Videos tagged #KPopNoodleChallenge and #DemonHuntersRamen showcase children mimicking characters by consuming these noodles. These products,often sold in tall,narrow,microwavable cups,are deceptively dangerous.
“Instant noodles are now responsible for nearly one-third of pediatric scald burn injuries we treat,” explains Dr. Colleen Ryan, Associate Surgeon at Shriners Children’s Boston, a leading center for pediatric burn care. ”We’re seeing two to three cases per week directly related to these ‘tippy soups.'”
Why are these noodle cups so dangerous?
* Unstable Design: The tall,narrow shape makes them incredibly easy to tip over,especially for young children.
* Superheated Liquid: Water boils at 212°F (100°C). When spilled, this scalding liquid causes immediate and severe burns.
* Heat Retention: Noodles are sticky and hold heat for extended periods, exacerbating the burn’s depth and damage.
* Vulnerable Skin: Children’s skin is thinner then adults’, meaning they suffer burns at lower temperatures and with shorter exposure times. A three-second exposure to 140°F water can cause a second-degree burn in an adult, but the threshold is even lower for children.
Beyond Noodles: The Tanghulu Trend & Ongoing Risks
This isn’t an isolated incident. In 2024, the viral “DIY tanghulu” trend – making candied fruit with boiling sugar - led to dozens of hospitalizations for second- and third-degree burns. The trend continues to gain traction,with Shriners Children’s Boston already treating eight Tanghulu-related burn cases in 2025 alone.
These injuries are entirely preventable. The core issue isn’t the trends themselves, but how they are executed.
Protecting Your Child: A Parent’s Guide to Safe Snacking
Dr. Ryan emphasizes, “We’re not discouraging fun, but safety must be paramount. Adult supervision is crucial when children are participating in any food-related trend involving heat.”
Here’s how to protect your child:
* supervise Microwave Use: Never allow children to microwave food unsupervised.
* Safe containers: Avoid tall, narrow microwavable containers. Opt for wider, more stable bowls.
* Stovetop Alternatives: Consider preparing trending foods on the stovetop,where temperature control and spill containment are easier.
* Handle with Care: teach children to carefully remove hot containers from the microwave and to avoid shaking or tilting them.
* Cooling Time: Ensure food cools sufficiently before consumption.
* Open Dialog: talk to your children about the potential dangers of viral challenges and the importance of safety.
What to Do If a Scald Burn Occurs
Immediate action is critical.
- Remove from Source: Immediately remove the child from the source of the burn.
- Remove Clothing: Gently remove any clothing covering the burned area.
- Cool with Water: Run cool (not cold) tap water over the burn for a full 20 minutes. This is the most vital first step. Do not use ice.
- Seek Medical Attention:
* for minor burns: Contact your pediatrician.
* For severe burns (large area, deep color, blistering): Call 911 immediately.
- Pediatric Burn Expertise: If the burn requires assessment, seek care at a healthcare facility specializing in pediatric burn care. These facilities have the expertise to manage complex burn injuries and minimize long-term complications.
The emotional impact of a burn can be as significant as the physical injury. Burns can lead to scarring, pain, and psychological distress, affecting a child’s self-esteem and well-being.
