Children Suffer Severe Burns After Viral TikTok Trend

Cases have been reported in the United States, but this situation has also been reported in other countries.

There is a viral trend on the social network TikTok that could pose a potential danger to children. It is called "glass fruit", also known as Tanghulu, a typical Chinese recipe that was first prepared in the microwave.

The aim, it should be noted, is to harden sugar on various fruits to give them a crunchy coating. In April, a tutorial on how to prepare the fruit in the microwave was published, which went viral, and which showed that it is necessary to place a mixture of sugar and water in the appliance, in 30-second intervals, for about five minutes until it boils.

At the time, the author of the video warned that the mixture would get very hot and that people should not touch it with their bare hands. It is worth noting that the fruit on the skewer is dipped into the liquid mixture while it is still hot.

However, according to the US press, the trend has already sent several children to the hospital after trying the recipe.

FOX News reports that in August, Shriners Children's Hospital in Boston issued a warning about the increase in the number of cases of children with serious burns caused by the trend and Colleen Ryan, a surgeon at the pediatric hospital, revealed that she treated two patients in the space of two weeks who were injured in this way.

"When sugar is melted in the microwave this way, it has a high heat capacity, which means it stores heat energy," she said in a statement cited by the station.

"If it is spilled, it can cause a serious burn, just like spilling hot soup, but it can cause a much deeper burn due to the properties of the sugar. Children or teenagers can quickly grab the pan or bowl and the hot liquid splashes, spills or splashes onto them," she added.

The result is “one or more small but very deep burns, often in critical areas such as the hand or face.”

Parents “should make sure their children are taught how to cook properly and take preventive measures.”

The surgeon said her colleagues, both in the U.S. and internationally, have also seen an increase in these cooking-related injuries.

“It may seem like a fun and harmless activity for children to try to make their own treats. There is an opportunity to prevent this injury if everyone is aware of the danger,” she warned.