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People who are allergic to peanut butter are consuming it because of a dangerous TikTok trend.
Concerns have been expressed about a new TikTok trend that could cause serious harm or death.
Numerous Videos on Tiktok appear to show people who are allergic to peanuts deliberately consuming peanut butter to make their cheeks swell. The punchline is that when they walk way they have a bottom that has been artificially padded.
One user appeared to record herself eating a spoonful of peanut butter, despite the fact that she is allergic to it.
In the video, which has received hundreds of thousands of views, she says: "I keep seeing people eating food they're allergic to, and I'm allergic to peanut butter." "Look how much my cheeks swell."
One comment under the video read: "As someone with a deathly peanut allergy, I slammed that like button just for the dedication you were about to put in until I watched to the end."
Others commented "this is brilliant" and "this is actually so funny".
Despite the positive feedback her video received in the TikTok comments, Allergy UK released a statement calling the trend "dangerous and disturbing" and accusing it of "normalising unsafe behaviour that may result in serious injury or death."
Allergy UK have reported the videos to TikTok as they claim they clearly breach the guidelines, they also urge other users to do the same.
The guidelines prohibit any content that incites such dangerous behaviour. Allergy UK said they also contacted the popular social media platform directly asking them to take responsible action.
Their statement also warns parents about the trend, they say, "Research shows teenagers and young people are the most at risk age group to suffer severe and fatal allergic reactions, and can also be the most influenced by what they see online."
"Food allergies are not a joke, and it is very disappointing that we are seeing people mock a severe health condition that carries fatality risks."
"Societal attitudes need to change. Allergy UK will continue its work to bring about this change."
Allergy UK advise parents of children with food allergies to have a proactive conversation with them about the dangers of the trend and to not participate in it.
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