Teens eat detergent in new 'challenge’, dumbasses warned not to dine on laundry pods

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Teens eat laundry detergent in new social media 'challenge’, warned not to dine on laundry pods

Austin Kirk

A new social media trend is causing health concerns: attention-starved teens are scarfing down laundry pods.

What began as a social media joke, is prompting concern from doctors about teens consuming laundry pods. Online users joke about how “tasty” the pods look — in some cases, even calling them the “forbidden fruit,” and some future Darwin Award winners have embarked on the Laundry Pod Challenge.

Unsurprisingly, medical experts say the consequences of ingesting these products can be dire. The pods can cause vomiting, throat burns, and eye injuries, among other issues. The membrane around it, when it dissolves, can cause central nervous system depression, causing you to become sleepy or fatigued. Online “memes” feature photos depicting the laundry pods as a pizza topping or breakfast cereal.

Procter and Gamble, maker of Tide, says the company implemented child-resistant packaging for its laundry pods and is working with partners to educate parents on properly storing the containers.

If you’re concerned about this or other hazards, you can call 1-800-222-1222 any time of day to be connected to the appropriate poison center. Or just natural selection take its course.