Warning over liquid nitrogen drinks after girl loses stomach

[Jazzy]

Scientists have warned of the dangers of using liquid nitrogen for culinary purposes after a teenage girl who had drunk a cocktail containing the substance underwent emergency surgery.



Gaby Scanlon is believed to have suffered an adverse reaction after drinking a correctly prepared Jagermeister drink made with liquid nitrogen to produce a steaming “cauldron effect.”



The sixth form pupil was celebrating her 18th birthday with friends in Lancaster city centre when she had the drink at Oscars wine bar on Thursday night.

Police said she had her stomach removed afterwards in an urgent operation thought to have saved her life.



The bar is not thought to have made an error in preparing the drink.



But professor Peter Barham, of the University of Bristol's School of Physics, stressed the importance of ensuring proper safety measures were in place when liquid nitrogen was being used in food and drink preparation.



The temperature of the liquid is around -196C and if it is not used properly it can cause frostbite or cryogenic burns, he warned.



Liquid nitrogen has become popular for the making of some elaborate cocktails, with Heston Blumenthal among the most high–profile chefs to use it for culinary purposes.



The liquid form of the gas can be used to flash–freeze substances, and some bars use it to chill glasses or freeze ingredients, producing a dramatic–looking grey vapour.



Numerous recipes for liquid nitrogen cocktails can be found on the internet but the substance can cause serious cold burns and should never be ingested.

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I'm surprised these cocktails aren't banned.

 

[Evil Eye]

I'm surprised these cocktails aren't banned.

Maybe they will be now.