Advocacy groups warn against consuming large amounts of sour lollies, claim they’re more acidic than vinegar and may cause injuries
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Warning: The following photos may contain graphic imagery.
A new report suggests that sour lollies may be more dangerous than you think.
A young boy in Perth recently suffered burns to his tongue after eating a sour lolly, with shocking images of the injury being posted to social media.
A young boy from Perth incurred blisters on his tongue after allegedly consuming sour lollies. Credit: CPR Kids.
CPR Kids, a child safety and first aid service advocacy group, posted the photos in an effort to raise awareness of the potential dangers of these sweets.
According to the group, the high acidity of sour lollies can cause “temporary irritation to sensitive tongues and mouths”, and children under four shouldn’t be eating them.
It’s not known which brand of lolly the child in the photo consumed, but CPR Kids said that Warheads and TNT are two of the most popular brands being widely consumed in the country.
CPR Kids wrote: “We understand that the labels come with warnings, but dentists say the lollies should be avoided altogether due to the acidic coating (regardless of age).”
Additionally, the group disclosed that lab test results on sour lollies suggest that the treats are "concerningly" more acidic than vinegar.
Dental Association of Australia’s Jonathon Teoh also shared his sentiments on the matter, echoing the warning to parents who frequently feed lollies to their children.
He said: "They [lollies] are very dangerous due to the high level of acid or PH which can cause chemical burns"
Mum Kristy Wright shared her 4-year-old daughter's painful experience with consuming large amounts of sour lollies.
Sharing graphic images of the condition her daughter experienced after consuming 10 pieces brother’s sour lollies, the Melbourne mum recalled that the young girl ran up to her screaming about the burning pain on her tongue before discovering that her daughter's tongue was full of blisters.
A mum claimed that the massive hole in her daughter’s tongue was caused by a chemical reaction from eating 10 pieces of sour lollies. Credit: Kristy Wright/Tiny Hearts Education.
“They had burnt her tongue, she was beside herself,” she told Tiny Hearts Education.
The mum disclosed that the massive hole in her daughter's tongue was caused by a severe chemical reaction from eating the sour treats.
Meanwhile, consumer advocacy group Choice said that the injuries that you may get from consuming sour lollies are less likely to be permanent.
The report read: “The soft tissues of the mouth will usually repair without much problem."
“The more insidious issue with sour lollies is their increased potential for irreversibly damaging teeth.”
We encourage our members who consume (or have grandchildren and loved ones who regularly consume) these treats to keep a close eye on the amount that you are eating and to brush your teeth shortly afterwards.
Stay safe!
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