Tide Pod Challenge Can Burn Mouth: Minnesota Poison Control

A Minnesota agency is warning people to avoid indulging in the latest teen fad. The "Tide Pod Challenge," which requires a person to eat a highly toxic detergent pod, is extremely dangerous and can result in serious burns on top of other injuries, according to the Minnesota Poison Control System.

"While the Tide Pod Challenge may have started as a joke, it is extremely dangerous," officials warned on Twitter. "Even if the entire pod is not swallowed, ingesting just a small amount of the concentrated detergent can cause effects such as burns inside or around the mouth, nausea, or breathing problems."

The brightly colored pods contain a highly toxic mix of ethanol, hydrogen and polymers that is far more dangerous when ingested than traditional laundry detergent.

Tide isn't the only company brand offering the convenience of pre-packaged laundry detergent. The concentrated laundry packets are also known by such trade names as Pods, Mighty Pacs, Power Pacs, PowerBlasts, PowerCore Pacs and Flings.

At least 10 deaths have been attributed to the pods, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission.

Read more: Tide Pod Challenge: 5 Things To Know About Dangerous Teen Craze

Photo credit: AP Photo/Pat Sullivan