BEIJING (SCMP): A woman from southwestern China misidentified a firecracker as a milk confectionery, resulting in mouth injuries when it exploded unexpectedly, alarming many and raising concerns about misleading packaging.
The woman, surnamed Wu, from Chengdu in Sichuan province, shared her experience on social media, revealing that the packaging of a specific type of firecracker, commonly known as shuang pao in China, closely resembles that of milk candies. This resemblance led her to mistakenly consume one, causing injury to her mouth.
Shuang pao, which translates to “smash firecracker”, ignites without the need for a flame and can explode with a loud “pop” simply by being dropped or subjected to pressure, such as being stepped on.
Its convenience, uniqueness, and celebratory appeal have made it a preferred choice for occasions such as weddings, parties, and family gatherings, particularly during the Lunar New Year.
In an interview with Elephant News on Feb 5, Wu recounted that the firecracker in question was brought home by her younger brother.
“I was watching TV at home with the lights off in the living room when my brother returned with a bag of snacks. I thought it resembled the taro milk candies I enjoyed as a child, so I opened one and put it in my mouth. That is when it exploded,” Wu explained.
“At that moment, I was stunned. To be honest, I did not feel any pain; I just detected the smell of gunpowder in my mouth. Perhaps I was numb because, despite the explosion, I felt no discomfort while eating or brushing my teeth,” she continued.
Her photos indicated that the firecrackers were wrapped in a plastic film covered with aluminium foil, mimicking the packaging typically used for pills.
Visible blood stains were evident in her mouth, though it remains uncertain whether she sought medical treatment.
“Shouldn’t these firecrackers be packaged in a box?” Wu questioned in her post.
The incident resonated widely among Chinese netizens, many of whom agreed that the capsule-like packaging is misleading.
Some even uploaded images of the firecracker’s packaging to image recognition search engines, which identified it as “confectionery”.
One individual noted that the packaging was intended to prevent moisture during transport, commenting: “When I bought them last year, I thought it was an ingenious way to prevent moisture and explosions during transport. The capsule design seemed practical, but I did not foresee someone mistaking it for confectionery.”
Another added: “This is genuinely concerning. The packaging closely resembles food, making it easy to confuse and accidentally consume, which poses significant dangers. It should clearly bear a ‘hazardous materials’ label.” - South China Morning Post
