Spicy treats can be tasty, but they can also cause some health problems and unnecessary trips to the hospital.
Hot snacks making kids feel ill (and look it) isn’t a new thing.
Years ago some schools even banned hot chips like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and Takis for their general lack of nutrition.
The salty, hot treats are back in the headlines this week after Rene Craighead, 17, of Memphis, went to the hospital for surgery to remove her gallbladder. Her mom and her blame the operation on her daughter’s consumption of four big bags every week. Doctors say the chips, and other factors, could have contributed to the need for the operation.
In 2012, CBS News reported other doctors took issue with the hot red Cheetos because they were sending kids to the emergency room – unnecessarily.
“Because the spicy snack contains a lot of red food dye, it can turn the stools of people who eat large quantities red or orange. Parents and kids may mistakenly assume that it is a sign of blood in the stool, leading to panicked trip to the hospital,” reported CBS.
So the kids weren't really sick, they just looked the part. Doctors noted you have to eat a lot of them to 'turn red,' so perhaps that was a sign of another problem: overeating.
Unrelated to the red stools and gastritis, several school districts in New Mexico, California and Illinois made the move years ago to ban the snacks from their campuses because they lack nutritional value, and “research suggests the snacks may create a brain response similar to what is seen in individuals who are addicted to illicit substances.”
In response to the WREG story about the young woman's gallbladder operation, the makers of the spicy treats released the following statements.
Takis, Buchanan Public Relations:
"We assure you that Takis are safe to eat, but should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a well-balanced diet. Takis ingredients fully comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, and all of the ingredients in each flavor are listed in detail on the label. Always check the serving size before snacking."
Frito-Lay, the maker of Cheetos, also responded, saying:
“At Frito-Lay, food safety is always our number one priority, and our snacks meet all applicable food safety regulations as well as our rigorous quality standards. Some consumers may be more sensitive to spicy foods than others and may choose to avoid spicier snacks due to personal preference.”
Remember friends: everything in moderation.
FAQs
Because the spicy snack contains a lot of red food dye, it can turn the stools of people who eat large quantities red or orange. Parents and kids may mistakenly assume that it is a sign of blood in the stool, leading to panicked trip to the hospital.
Why are hot Cheetos banned in some schools? ›
Flamin' Hot Cheetos contain food additive dyes Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, which have been linked to adverse neurobehavioral outcomes in some children.
Why is Flaming Hot Cheetos banned? ›
While the Food and Drug Administration allows the use of these dyes, the California Environmental Protect Agency's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment released a report in April 2021, that found the consumption of synthetic food dyes can result in hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some ...
Is Flamin Hot Cheetos bad for kids? ›
For several years I have seen occasional kids in the ER with concern for “blood in their poop,” only to find out that the red discoloration of their stool is due to eating entire bags of Flamin' Hot Cheetos. The hot pepper spice in this product can also cause abdominal pain and burning.
Why should Takis and Hot Cheetos be banned? ›
Assembly Bill 2316, introduced Tuesday, aims to ban in public schools food products that contain certain harmful synthetic colors, including the ones that give Takis and Flamin' Hot Cheetos their ruddy, finger-staining colors.
Is red 40 in hot Cheetos? ›
Many child-focused foods like chips and cereals contain these ingredients. Cheetos varieties, including the popular and spicy Flamin' Hot version, and other chips such as Doritos include colorings red 40, yellow 5 and yellow 6 – all on the list of ingredients that would be banned if the bill is enacted.
Is it OK to eat hot Cheetos? ›
Debasish Bandyopadhyay, a pharmaceutical chemist at the University of Texas at the Rio Grande Valley, says hot Cheetos contain certain harmful substances, such as piperine, a component that makes them spicy. “The point is that the acidity in the stomach increases abruptly,” said Dr. Bandyopadhyay.
Who almost overdosed on Hot Cheetos? ›
Rapper Lil Xan says he needed to go to the hospital Monday after eating too many Hot Cheetos. "I was in the hospital, not doing any drugs, but I guess I ate, uh, too many Hot Cheetos and it ...
Where are hot Cheetos illegal? ›
A new bill seeks to ban some of America's most popular snacks from California public schools. Flamin' Hot Cheetos, Doritos, and Takis could be banned throughout the state under the proposed bill, which seeks to remove foods from schools that contain artificial ingredients and food dyes.
Does Flamin Hot use red 40? ›
Because some people may have short-term reactions to MSG such as shortness of breath, nausea and flushing, it must be listed on food labels. Red Dye #40: The additive that gives a Flamin' Hot Cheeto its artificial red color.
Though they rarely trigger food allergies, spicy foods can irritate the digestive system and cause gastroesophageal reflux. If your child has gastroesophageal reflux, you may need to avoid spicy foods all together. As you introduce stronger flavors, serve small amounts of foods you know your child can tolerate.
Is there pork in Takis? ›
Takis® are made from real corn and potatoes. None of its ingredients includes pork, lard, pepsin, pork gelatin, alcohol or alcohol-derived ingredients, cochineal, or carmine, but have not been certified by a qualified authority to determine Halal compliance with Islamic dietary guidelines.
Who owns Takis? ›
Takis are a Mexican brand of flavored rolled tortilla chips by Barcel, a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo. Fashioned after the taquito, it comes in numerous flavors, the best selling of which is the chili-lime "Fuego" flavor, sold in distinctive purple bags.
Why can't we eat Takis? ›
Eating a lot of spicy foods daily can eventually lead to gastritis, which is when the stomach becomes inflamed. Most of the time, eating too much Takis will result in mild stomach aches and heartburn. It is not just Takis that should be eaten in moderation — it's any processed snack foods.
Why are schools banning Takis? ›
Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) has proposed a new bill that would prohibit public schools from serving foods containing certain additives, including six synthetic food dyes like Red 40 and yellow 6, which are found in Takis, Doritos and Flamin' Hot Cheetos.
Why can't Muslims eat hot Cheetos? ›
Lastly, often the rennet is of pig origin, and anything of a pig is considered impure and impermissible for consumption by Muslims. Hot Cheetos could be said to be haram by their method of production. The production method often involves adding artificial colours obtained from insects.
