What Are “Smoke Biscuits” Consumed by Karnataka Boy that Caused Illness

“Smoke biscuits” are a popular treat prepared using liquid nitrogen. Recently, a video of a boy consuming these biscuits at a street food vendor’s stall in an exhibition went viral. The clip, shared on X (formerly Twitter), showed the boy experiencing discomfort after taking a sip and eventually collapsing unconscious.

The incident occurred at an exhibition near Aruna Talkies in Dhavangare. It’s important to note that liquid nitrogen, used in the preparation of these biscuits, poses severe health risks due to its extremely low temperature (-196 degrees Celsius). Adverse reactions to exposure can include skin allergies, mouthburn, stomach ache, and irritable bowel syndrome.

There have been reports of confusion between liquid nitrogen and dry ice, both of which can cause harm to the human body. Both substances produce thick white vapors at room temperature and are commonly used as freezing agents in food preparation and preservation. It’s crucial to emphasize that neither liquid nitrogen nor dry ice should be consumed or applied directly to the skin.