One of the latest online trends is crunchy. The recent trend shows people eating biodegradable packing peanuts on TikTok, believing they’re safe because they dissolve in water. Brands like Lush use potato starch-based peanuts, leading some to think they’re edible. However, health experts warn against this practice. Eating packing peanuts can cause bloating, pain, and gas. More concerning is that the high-heat production process of these peanuts can create acrylamide, a carcinogen linked to certain cancers.
Additionally, while starch-based peanuts are non-toxic and dissolve in water, they’re not produced in food-safe conditions and aren’t intended to be “eatin’ peanuts.” Experts emphasize that “biodegradable” doesn’t mean “edible,” and ingesting these packing materials poses unnecessary health risks. In other words…just don’t.
Source: NY Post
