The Thai Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has warned eateries to be careful in the use of liquid nitrogen in the preparation of food and drinks, or face imprisonment or heavy fines if the substance is overused and has harmful effects on consumers.
TFDA Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Withid Sariddeechaikool also warned consumers to refrain from eating food or drinks mixed with liquid nitrogen, noting that inhaling, touching or ingesting liquid nitrogen can be very harmful to body tissues, adding that inhaling the gas directly may lead to unconsciousness.
If eating food mixed with liquid nitrogen, he suggested that consumers wait until all the gas has disappeared or refrain from consuming the food altogether if they are not sure about the quality.
Citing edicts issued by the Ministry of Public Health, he said owners of eateries may face two years in prison and/or a fine of 20,000 baht if the liquid nitrogen they use in food or drinks endangers consumers.
Dr. Withid’s warning comes after the Indonesian Government’s recent warning about the use of liquid nitrogen in food and drinks, after several children suffered stomach pains following the consumption of a local snack mixed with the substance.
He said that eating food with mist coming out of the mouth is a new gimmick being used to attract customers, but the substance can damage body tissues.
