Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
News

FDA: Avoid Frozen Desserts and Drinks Made with Liquid Nitrogen

August 30, 2018

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is telling consumers and retailers to avoid eating, selling, or handling food products that are prepared by adding liquid nitrogen at the point of sale, immediately before consumption. The products FDA has named include Dragon’s Breath, Heaven’s Breath, and nitro puff, but there are others as well.

According to Wikipedia, these products are frozen desserts made from cereal dipped in liquid nitrogen. When placed inside the mouth, it creates vapors that emit from the mouth and nose.

FDA says that while liquid nitrogen is nontoxic, it can cause severe damage to the skin and internal organs if mishandled or accidently ingested due to the extremely low temperatures it can maintain. There is also the risk of breathing problems, which may be especially problematic for those that suffer from asthma.

These foods and drinks are commonly found in malls, food courts, kiosks, state or local fairs, and other food retail locations. These products may include liquid nitrogen-infused colorful cereal or cheese puffs that emit a misty or smoke-like vapor. Similarly, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks prepared with liquid nitrogen emit a fog.

The FDA has become aware of severe -- and in some cases, life-threatening -- injuries, such as damage to skin and internal organs caused by liquid nitrogen still present in the food or drink. There has also been a report of difficulty breathing after inhaling the vapor released by liquid nitrogen when added immediately before consumption. Injuries have occurred from handling or eating products prepared by adding liquid nitrogen immediately before consumption, even after the liquid nitrogen has fully evaporated due to the extremely low temperature of the food.

In general, other foods treated with liquid nitrogen prior to the point of sale and before consumption, for example some frozen confections, are treated in such a way that results in the complete evaporation of liquid nitrogen before reaching the consumer and are no longer at an extremely low temperature, and therefore do not pose a significant risk of injury.

Sign up for Food Safety Magazine’s bi-weekly emails!

Subscribe to our podcast: Food Safety Matters!


Author(s): Staff

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Methods
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Sanitation
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Best Practices
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • mold
    Sponsored byIFC

    Tackling Mold Remediation in Food Processing Plants

  • a worker in a food processing plant
    Sponsored byLPS® DETEX®

    How a Beverage Facility Improved Food Safety and Compliance with Detectable Packaging Solutions

  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

Popular Stories

smoked salmon in oil

Study Shows Food Type Significantly Affects Listeria’s Ability to Survive Digestion, Cause Sickness

FSM podcast

Ep. 197. Jatin Patel: Lessons Learned and Best Practices for Handling a Recall

close-up shot of nickel metal

New EU Maximum Levels for Nickel Now Apply to Dozens of Foods

Events

July 15, 2025

Hygienic Design Risk Management: Industry Challenges and Global Insights

Live: July 15, 2025 at 11:00 am EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn the importance of hygienic design to ensure food safety and sanitation effectiveness.

July 22, 2025

Beyond the Binder: Digital Management of Food Safety

Live: July 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn best practices for the use of digital food safety management systems across industry and regulatory agencies.

August 7, 2025

Achieve Active Managerial Control of Major Risk Factors Using a Food Safety Management System

Live: August 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn about changes to the FDA Food Code, which now includes a requirement for FSMS. 

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • SmithFoods Inc. issues allergy alert on undeclared cashew allergen in ALDI Earth Grown Vegan Non Dairy Almond Based Frozen Desserts

    SmithFoods Inc. issues allergy alert on undeclared cashew allergen in ALDI Earth Grown Vegan Non Dairy Almond Based Frozen Desserts

    See More
  • ice cream with berries

    Outbreaks of Foodborne Illnesses and Recalls Associated With Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Products

    See More
  • cows

    How to avoid USDA import refusals with preparation

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 1118396308.jpg

    High Throughput Analysis for Food Safety

  • food-safety-making.jpg

    Food Safety: Making Foods Safe and Free From Pathogens

  • 1119258073.jpg

    FSMA and Food Safety Systems: Understanding and Implementing the Rules

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • March 31, 2025

    Avoid Costly Sanitation Failures with Validation, Verification, and Re-Validation

    On Demand: From this webinar, attendees will learn how to avoid costly recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks from sanitation failures. 
  • September 24, 2024

    Avoid the Recalls: How to Maintain Brand Reputation and Drive Company-Wide Compliance

    On Demand: This webinar will cover how to reduce the risk of costly product recalls that can jeopardize brand and customer loyalty.
View AllSubmit An Event

Related Directories

  • CEJN North America

    High-performance F&B equipment for food safety, washdown and blow-off applications, and, now, introducing the First Metal/X-Ray-Detectable Plastic blow gun on the market- the 208 Detect- made from food grade plastic, reducing the risks of accidental contamination, product rejections, expensive recalls, and waste. Made from food-grade, detectable plastic, 208 Detect and in compliance with Reg. (EC) No 1935/2004 and FDA CFR 21.170-199.
  • SmartWash Solutions

    Get the highest level of food safety in the industry with SmartWash Solutions. •Achieve FSMA compliance •Mitigate cross-contamination, avoiding outbreaks and recalls •Monitor and control wash water chemistry, increasing efficiency. With our full-service partnership you’ll have: state-of-the-art equipment, expert calibration, ongoing maintenance, easy integration and real-time process control. Visit smartwashsolutions.com
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing