A ten-year-old girl from Reading, Mia-Rose Bowyer, shared her story of choking on a sweet marketed as the ‘world’s sourest sweet,’ Black Death. Mia-Rose inhaled the toffee-like sweet, causing it to become lodged in her throat. She was hospitalized with ‘chemical-like’ burns, and her lips turned blue as her aunt tried the Heimlich maneuver and called 999. Her frightened aunt eventually dislodged the sweet, and Mia-Rose was given oxygen, steroids, and antibiotics to prevent further swelling at the hospital.
Mia-Rose had seen a social media challenge with the Black Death sweet and wanted to try it while at her aunt’s house for a sleepover. Initially not thinking much of it, Mia-Rose’s mother Stevie allowed her to try it, assuming it wouldn’t cause much harm as it was sold in a traditional confectionery store. However, Mia-Rose’s scary choking incident left her with a burnt and sore throat, and she now fears eating. Doctors put her on a treatment to help her breathe and prevent any permanent damage to her vocal cords. Stevie expressed her fear and concern for her daughter’s life during the choking incident.
Mr Simms, the sweet shop that sells Black Death, temporarily removed the product from sale after the incident and conducted an investigation. They later stated that the sweets were deemed safe and that Mia-Rose’s case was an isolated incident. TikTok, where the trend originated, claimed that similar challenges are on multiple platforms and that their age restrictions still apply. Mia-Rose was discharged after three days in the hospital but faces a follow-up appointment to check for any lasting damage.
Stevie issued a warning to parents about the dangers of the Black Death sweet, calling for it to be an 18+ product or completely pulled from shelves. She criticized TikTok for allowing dangerous challenges like this to circulate and emphasized the need for responsible marketing and content. The sweet shop reiterated the safety of the product and expressed regret over Mia-Rose’s experience but assured that the sweets have been on sale for 11 years without such incidents. YouTube also stated their strict rules against encouraging dangerous activities involving minors.
The incident has raised concerns about the influence of social media challenges and the responsibility of platforms in promoting potentially harmful trends. Mia-Rose’s ordeal sheds light on the need for parents to be vigilant about the products their children consume and to educate them about the risks involved. Stevie’s warning serves as a cautionary tale for others, emphasizing the importance of safety and awareness in consumer choices. Mia-Rose’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the potential dangers that can arise from seemingly harmless products and challenges.
