US Hospital Calls Viral Fruit Snack A Safety Hazard As Several Kids Suffer Burns

A private hospital in Boston, USA,  issued a warning as several children reportedly suffered severe burns after trying Tanghulu, a Chinese snack that is trending on social media. Doctors from Shriners Children’s Hospital raised concerns in a recent press release, reading "With nearly 25% of TikTok users being children under 17, Shriners Children’s Boston physicians are working to warn parents about a new and potentially dangerous trend gaining steam on the platform."

What Is Tanghulu?

Colourful fruits stacked on a grab-and-go stick and with a sweet, crunchy, glossy coating. What could go wrong? This popular snack from China has gone viral on social media for its tasty and aesthetic appeal. The process of making Tanghulu has been simplified and widely recreated worldwide.

The process of making Tanghulu involves dipping a stack of fruits in melted sugar and immediately transferring it to cold water so it hardens. What you are left with is a homemade candy that not only tastes great but is also visually attractive. Now, TikTokers have found an easier way to make it in a microwave.

TikTok's New Cloyingly Sweet Treat

On TikTok, some new Tanghulu hacks involved melting candy or sugar in the microwave for just five minutes to dip the fruit. However, they ignored that the authentic recipe, which called for a very particular temperate for the syrup, was an important safety precaution to prevent burns.

To make Tanghulu, TikTokers suggested melting the sugar at least 300 F in the microwave. However, doctors at the Shriners Children's Hospital warned that this can easily turn into a disaster. Sugar syrup is a hazard and can easily cause serious burns if it comes in contact with skin.

Surgeon Colleen Ryan, M.D. explained in the press release, "If spilt, it can create a severe scald burn, much like spilling hot soup, but it can cause a much deeper burn because of sugar's properties. Kids or teens can quickly grab the pot or bowl and the hot fluid splashes, spills or splatters over them."

Dr Ryan added, "The result is one or several small but very deep burns, often in critical areas such as the hand or the face." She added that several doctors in the USA have noticed an increase in patients suffering from burns after trying this recipe trend from social media.

Medical professionals cautioned that while the preparation of Tanghulu looks effortless and attractive on TikTok, it can cause serious complications if not done carefully. The traditional Tanghulu has been meticulously mastered by Chinese street food vendors and is not a child's play. Literally.