FLORENCE

Liquid nitrogen dipped Dragon Breath candy treat cited as concern sold at NKY malls

Cincinnati Enquirer

Cereal balls of Dragon's Breath dessert similar to what is served at a kiosk outside Newport on the Levee are mixed in a pot with liquid nitrogen that causes the diner to breathe vapor-like smoke like a dragon.

A parent has issued a warning making national headlines about the possible dangers of a trendy treat using liquid nitrogen that is sold in malls in Newport and Florence.

Dragon's Breath nitrogen-dipped cereal balls are sold from kiosks at Newport on the Levee and Florence Mall.

Florence Mall media relations and the Newport Dragon's Breath owner did not immediately respond to requests for information.

Liquid nitrogen releases a smoky water vapor when it dries. The gas is not liquid nitrogen.

The cereal puff treat is named Dragon Breath for the way nitrogen vapors makes people dining on the cold candy appear to breathe out smoke like a dragon.

Dragon Breath made national headlines Wednesday for reportedly causing an asthma attack in a Florida boy who is 7.

The Association of Food and Drug Officials, an international food safety lobbying group, issued a warning in 2016 against using liquid nitrogen and dry ice in food and drinks.

Direct contact with liquid nitrogen can cause living tissue to freeze living tissue or cause burns, according to the association's warning.

An October 2017 Today Show article reported a 14-year-old burned her hand while eating a cereal snack called dragon's breath at a county fair in Florida.

An emergency room doctor reportedly had to cut away dead skin away from the finger to get an infection out that could have led to the loss of the teen's thumb.

Dragon's Breath At the Levee representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment about how the product is prepared. The Newport Dragon's Breath Facebook page shows a picture of a child popping a cereal ball emitting a smoke-like vapor. The photo shows the child holding a pointy wooden stick used to pick up the cereal ball.

The company's Facebook page advertised in a July 3 post: "Dragon's Breath gives you the firepower of the Dragon with a sweet treat. Choose your treat and let the liquid nitrogen do the rest."

One customer outside Dragon's Breath At the Levee showed how the treat got its name for giving the appearance of smoke coming out of the customer's mouth.