Serious burns reported in children making TikTok-style “glass fruit” in the microwave

A TikTok trend could pose a potential danger to children.

“Glass fruit”, otherwise known as Tanghulu – which involves hardening sugar over various fruits to give them a crunchy top – has become a growing food trend on social media.

Making Tanghulu requires microwaving a mixture of sugar and water in 30-second intervals for about five minutes until it boils, according to TikTokers Jasmine and Tea, who posted a tutorial in April.

The food-focused content creator warned in the video, which now has nearly 20 million views, that the mixture will get “really hot” and that people shouldn’t touch it with their bare hands.

Picked fruit is skewered into the liquid mixture while still hot and set aside to harden.

The viral trend has resulted in trips to the hospital for some kids who test the recipe at home.

Shriners Hospital for Children in Boston issued an announcement in August about an increase in cases of children with severe burn injuries due to spilled sugar.

Shriners surgeon Colleen Ryan, MD, reported that she has treated two patients in two weeks who were injured during the activity.

“When sugar is melted in the microwave in this way, it has a high heat capacity, which means it stores heat energy,” she said in a statement.

“If spilled, it can create a severe scalding burn, just like spilling hot soup, but it can cause a much deeper burn due to the properties of sugar. Children or teenagers can quickly grab the pot or bowl and the hot liquid splashes, spills or splashes on them.”

The result is “one or several small but very deep burns, often in critical areas such as the hand or face,” Ryan noted.

Kirurge said her colleagues, both in the US and internationally, have also reported an increase in these injuries related to the cooking trend.

She encouraged parents to be aware that their children may encounter this trend on social media.

“It may seem like a fun and harmless activity for kids to try to make the dessert themselves,” she said.

“There is an opportunity to prevent this injury if everyone is aware of this risk.”

“Parents need to be vigilant and make sure their children are taught proper cooking safety and take preventative measures.”

Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, told Fox News Digital that molten sugar is “dangerous” and warned of how “contagious” these types of viral trends can be. in children. .

If a child is burned, the doctor advises the parents to remove the clothes from the affected area and wash them with cool water.

Shriners says not to apply ice to the burn and to seek medical attention if necessary.

“Blisters are second-degree burns and may respond to burn creams, but skin (black, brown, or white) may be third-degree and should be seen immediately,” Siegel added.

Fox News Digital reached out to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital for comment.