Was Your Child Injured By a “Dragon’s Breath” Candy in FL?

Dragon’s Breath. Have you heard of it? This popular candy trend has been making its rounds in Florida and across the country recently.

It’s a cereal-based snack that’s frozen using liquid nitrogen and served in a cup. Though it’s marketed as a fun and interactive treat, it’s quickly becoming a source of concern for both parents and health officials.

In recent months, several children in Florida – and beyond – have suffered injuries after consuming Dragon’s Breath candy. How? Liquid nitrogen.

In short, the liquid nitrogen used to freeze the snack can cause severe burns and damage to the mouth, throat, and esophagus. Some children have even been taken to the hospital with breathing difficulties after ingesting the candy.

The use of liquid nitrogen in food preparation is not new, but it’s becoming more common as the trend of using it for theatrical effect in food and drinks gains popularity. Part of this is due to the rise of videos on social media platforms showing people – both children and adults – making and consuming Dragon’s Breath candy. As a visual effect, it’s pretty impressive, so it’s no surprise that a number of kids have attempted to recreate the videos on their own.

However, it’s important to remember that liquid nitrogen is not a treat. It is a hazardous substance and needs to be handled with extreme caution. Otherwise, as in many of the cases described above, it can cause serious injury.

What Can Parents Do to Protect Their Children from the Dangers of Dragon’s Breath Candy?

Here are a few steps that parents should consider taking:

Educate your children about the dangers of liquid nitrogen. Explain to them that the substance is extremely cold and can cause serious burns if it comes into direct contact with skin or mucous membranes. This is perhaps the most important one. Many kids simply don’t realize how dangerous it is.

Be vigilant. If your children go to events or venues that serve Dragon’s Breath candy, make sure you keep a close watch on them. If you see the candy being prepared with liquid nitrogen, stay away and find another snack option.

Get medical help. If your child has been injured by Dragon’s Breath candy or any food using liquid nitrogen, seek medical attention immediately. In some cases, the injuries may be severe and require immediate medical intervention.

Hold the responsible parties accountable. If your child was injured due to the negligence of a vendor or manufacturer, you may be entitled to compensation for your child’s medical expenses and other damages. This could include the cost of medical treatment, lost wages if you had to miss work to care for your child, and pain and suffering.

How does that last one work?

Manufacturers who make Dragon’s Breath candy and vendors who sell it (as well as any foods made with liquid nitrogen) have a responsibility to ensure their product is safe for consumption. This includes:

• Proper handling
• Proper storage
• Properly labeling the product with warning information

If you suspect a manufacturer or vendor was negligent in their handling or storage of the liquid nitrogen or in their labeling of the product, seek legal counsel. You should never have to pay for someone else’s mistake, but that’s exactly what will happen if your child is injured and you don’t fight for compensation.

An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and guide you through the process of pursuing compensation.

When all is said and done, Dragon’s Breath candy may be a fun and interactive treat, but it’s also a dangerous substance that can cause serious injury. As a parent, it’s important to educate yourself and your children about the dangers of liquid nitrogen and be vigilant when consuming food and drinks that contain it. 

If your child has been injured, seek medical attention immediately and consider holding the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

About the Author:

Andrew Winston is a partner at the personal injury law firm Winston Law. For over 20 years, he has successfully represented countless people in all personal injury cases, focusing on child injury, legal malpractice, and premises liability. He has been recognized for excellence in representing injured clients by admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and named one of America’s Top 100 High-Stakes Litigators. Mr. Winston is AV Preeminent Rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, enjoys a 10.0 rating by AVVO as a Top Personal Injury Attorney, and has been selected as a Florida “SuperLawyer” from 2011-2022– an honor reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the state – was voted to Florida Trend’s ”Legal Elite,” recognized by Expertise as one of the 20 Best Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys, named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Miami area for 2015-2022, and one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Florida for 2015-2017 and 2019-2022.