<< Back

Phrases You Never Thought You’d Utter: Don’t Eat that Tide Pod!

January 26, 2018

As a parent (or rational adult), there are phrases you never thought you’d have to utter.

“Don’t eat that Tide pod,” falls squarely in that category.

But believe it or not, people – mainly teens and young adults – are actually eating those detergent packets and uploading the videos to social media. It’s called the Tide Pod Challenge.

As Tide enlists spokesman Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots in an effort to stop the challenge, and as YouTube, Facebook and Instagram frantically pull down videos of kids eating these pods, let’s talk a bit about why this is a problem.

“Some of the pods have bleach in them,” said Hartford HealthCare emergency room Dr. Cynthia Price. Yet even the detergent portion has the potential to do bodily harm.

“It can cause some narrowing of your airways and your digestive tract, not just for this year but for all the years to come,” said Dr. Price, adding an emphatic warning reminiscent of 1980’s-era Nancy Reagan anti-drug public service announcements.

“Just say NO!,” she said.

If someone does try the Tide pod challenge, call 9-1-1 immediately, or visit your local emergency department.