Dry Ice News: On March 2, the situation became complicated for a restaurant staff when some of its guests who came to have dinner started vomiting of blood.
Actually, these dinners were mistakenly served “dry ice” at a restaurant in Gurugram post having food as a mouth freshener.
This mistake resulted in resulting in serious health consequences, including vomiting of blood.
Dry ice is commonly used to preserve food products like ice cream and frozen desserts.
As per the Food and Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dry ice is a lethal substance and it should not be touched or ingested.
Dry Ice News: What is dry ice?
According to a FSSAI note dated October 11, 2019, dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide. It is commonly used as a cooling agent for food products such as ice cream and frozen desserts.
The note further warns that improper handling of dry ice can pose serious health risks as it sublimes into large amounts of carbon dioxide gas that could lead to respiratory problems (hypercapnia).
The agency emphasizes that the dry ice should be used in well-ventilated environments and warns against storing it in closed spaces.
Dry Ice News: FSSAI also urges Food Safety Commissioners of all states/union territories to start awareness campaigns for food business operators and citizens on safe and proper use of dry ice.
Similarly, the US FDA warns that dry ice could cause severe damage to the skin and internal organs due to the extremely low temperatures.
The FDA emphasizes that dry ice should not be used in ways that make food unsafe for consumers or cause other safety hazards.
Dry Ice News: Employees in food service establishments are advised to avoid direct contact with dry ice along with incorporating safety procedures into their training plans.
Employers are also directed to provide warnings to employees about the adverse effects of the substance.
The incident at Laforessta cafe in Gurugram involved diners who unknowingly consumed dry ice that was contained in mouth freshener.
Ankit Kumar, one from the group did not consume mouth freshener and was quickly able to call police. Police took the injured people to hospital who are under treatment.
A FIR has also been lodged against the waiter responsible for the incident.