Social media is rife with truly strange trends – whether it be harmless dances or somewhat dangerous food trends such as the tide pod challenge of the late 2010s. Tik-Toks’ latest trend is no exception to the bizarre foods being consumed. A new emerging trend is seeing people eating packing peanuts, otherwise known as foam peanuts. Packing peanuts are those lightweight, marshmallow shaped fillers used to protect fragile items during shipping.
Recently, companies have started using biodegradable packing peanuts, made from plant-based materials. However, some Tik-Tokers have started eating the cushioning, assuming since they dissolve in the mouth they must be safe for consumption. This trend has health experts sounding the alarm about the risks associated with snacking on packing peanuts. Health experts warn that consuming packing peanuts, even though biodegradable, might be more harmful than assumed.
The Rise of Packing Peanut Consumption
The trend gained popularity on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Users discovered that certain brands, such as Lush, use biodegradable packing peanuts made from potato starch. Back in 2017, Lush announced that their packing peanuts were 100% edible, sparking curiosity among consumers. Videos of people munching on these foam-like snacks quickly went viral, with some even seasoning them or dipping them in sauces for added flavor.
Are All Packing Peanuts Safe to Eat?
Not all manufacturers create packing peanuts equally, and many still use styrofoam, a petroleum-based material that lacks toxicity but remains indigestible. If ingested, styrofoam packing peanuts can pass through the digestive system without breaking down but may pose choking hazards if they lodge in the esophagus. In contrast, producers make biodegradable packing peanuts from plant-based materials like cornstarch or potato starch, and these dissolve in water. Although manufacturers design them to be non-toxic, they do not produce them in food-safe environments, so people should not consider them edible.
The Composition of Biodegradable Packing Peanuts
Biodegradable packing peanuts are often made from cornstarch, potato starch, vegetable oil, wheat starch, and other plant-derived substances. These materials make them environmentally friendly alternatives to styrofoam, making them compostable but do not guarantee safety for human consumption. During manufacturing, these ingredients undergo high-temperature processing that can create acrylamide, a carcinogen linked to various cancers, including lung and colorectal cancer. Vegetable oils used in some packing peanuts contain omega-6 fatty acids that can promote chronic inflammation when consumed excessively.
Health Risks of Eating Packing Peanuts
Health experts warn that eating packing peanuts, even biodegradable ones, can lead to an array of health issues. Nurse Practitioner Angelica McGough warns that consuming heated oils found in these materials has been associated with serious health risks such as cancer. Dr. Larissa L. Garth notes that while potato starch may provide temporary feelings of fullness (postprandial satiety), ingesting it can also cause abdominal pain, bloating, and excessive gas.
Why People Are Tempted to Try Them
The allure of eating packing peanuts stems from one part curiosity and another part from misinformation spread on social media. Some users claim they taste like stale corn puffs or compare their texture to cheese doodles. Others see them as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional junk food without considering the potential health consequences.
This trend is reminiscent of previous viral trends, most notably the Tide Pod eating fad. This dangerous fad was fueled by young children and teenagers’ brains’ tendency toward risk-taking behavior and social validation. While eating biodegradable packing peanuts may not be as immediately harmful as ingesting detergent pods, it still poses real risks.
The Verdict: Should You Eat Packing Peanuts?
Health experts all agree that eating packing peanuts is a bad idea. Manufacturers do not design even biodegradable packing peanuts for human consumption, and their chemical composition can cause gastrointestinal problems or long-term health issues. Styrofoam counterparts are even worse, posing choking hazards without offering any nutritional benefits.
The National Capital Poison Center advises against consuming any type of packing peanut, emphasizing that styrofoam versions should pass through the digestive tract but could become lodged in the esophagus. Experts seriously caution people against mistaking “biodegradable” for “edible,” as manufacturers often create these products in environments that lack food safety certification.
How to Identify Biodegradable Packing Peanuts
If you’re curious about whether your packing peanuts are biodegradable or styrofoam-based, apply a simple test: run them under water. Biodegradable peanuts will dissolve almost instantly, while styrofoam ones remain intact. While this method helps distinguish between types for recycling purposes, it should not encourage consumption.
Final Thoughts
Tik-Tok and other social media trends have a significant influence in shaping consumer behavior and it’s important to be critical of these trends. Always draw your information from valid points of authority. While some individuals may view biodegradable packing peanuts as harmless snacks due to their plant-based origins, health experts stress that they are neither food nor safe for ingestion.
Instead of experimenting with unconventional “snacks,” consider sticking to actual food items designed for consumption. The risks associated with eating packing peanuts far outweigh any novelty or curiosity they might offer. As amusing as TikTok or Instagram may make this trend seem, you should leave it behind for your health and safety.
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