Moscow - (Saba):
A strange challenge has recently spread on social media, prompting participants to eat "foam packaging beads," raising concerns among doctors and health experts, according to the Russian news agency Sputnik.
Sputnik reported that these materials, which are commonly used to package products, can cause serious obstructions in the digestive system and may require surgical intervention to save the injured. Although some types are marketed as biodegradable, doctors confirm that all forms of them are not intended for human consumption.
Doctors say that the beads, made from corn or wheat starch, can cause choking, especially in children, and are not subject to food manufacturing standards. They can also swell in the body upon contact with moisture, increasing the risk of intestinal obstruction. Additionally, some of them contain chemicals or allergens, exposing individuals to sudden health complications, especially in the absence of warning labels or information about the ingredients.
Although some believe that popcorn kernels made from natural ingredients are safe to eat, doctors believe they may be contaminated during the manufacturing process and are not prepared in environments that adhere to food safety, making them completely unfit for consumption.
Health experts have called for an end to this widespread behavior, emphasizing that pursuing trends does not justify risking one's life for a fleeting online snap.
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