Suffolk Bans Sale Of 'Dragon's Breath' Following Health Concerns

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - Suffolk County has banned the sale of the recently popular novelty dessert known as "Dragon's Breath."

Last month, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone directed the Department of Health to prevent any food establishment regulated by the Suffolk County Health Department from serving it.

Following the suggestion, the Suffolk County Board of Health unanimously adopted a resolution that identifies the product as an "adulterated food," banning it from being sold at local businesses.

Dragon's Breath is a food novelty made by freezing cereal puffs in liquid nitrogen. The frozen cereal is then served in a cup and eaten using a skewer or similar utensil.

When the frozen cereal is chewed, the cold condenses moisture in the consumer's exhaled breath and gives the appearance of breathing smoke.

"The Department of Health, determined that the addition of liquid nitrogen to this novelty food product constitutes an adulteration of the food product and concluded it also has a significant potential to cause serious injury which far outweigh the novelty feature of the product," Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. James Tomarken said.

According to Tomarken, instances of frostbite and tissue damage have been reported when residual liquid nitrogen is left in the serving cup.

If fingers are used to remove the product from the cup, skin contact with liquid nitrogen can cause frostbite. Ingestion of liquid nitrogen can also cause severe damage to the mouth, esophagus, and stomach.

Last year, the dessert was offered at Florida's Pensacola Interstate Fair where a 14-year-old suffered from a severe burn on her thumb after she touched the liquid nitrogen, according to a report in the New York Post.

In addition, a Florida boy was hospitalized after eating a Dragon's Breath snack at a Jacksonville mall.

So far, there have been no injuries from the trend reported on Long Island.

Over the summer, the Department of Health issued a warning regarding the latest fad among teens that involves has become a sensation on social media.

Now, it has been banned from being sold or served in the county due to the potential for serious injury to consumers, considers this product as unsafe for human consumption.

"This action will prevent dangerous chemicals from winding up in the hands of children in Suffolk County," Bellone said. "We will not tolerate any establishment that seeks to peddle this poison and profit off of these actions in violation of our health code."

Other counties such as Clinton and Cattaraugus either have or are considering not permitting its sale.

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