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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Food Safety,Our Blog on May 13, 2025
Nitrous Oxide canisters have recently gained in popularity for their novel culinary use. However, misuse of these products has caused enough adverse effects that warrants the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue an advisory against off label and recreational use. In some cases, these products are even marketed toward their recreational use.
The term “nitrous oxide canister” may paint an image of a Fast and Furious race or appear on an itemized bill from your family dentist. Used as an oxygen booster in car engines and a sedative and anesthetic in medicine, you wouldn’t expect to find these canisters in a kitchen.
But that is the growing trend.
These nitrous oxide canisters are sold as food processing propellants for whipped cream and other culinary food use. They come in both unflavored and flavored and are sold by a variety of brands. They are even potentially available for purchase at your local Walmart.
This product can take your whipped cream and other delicacies to a whole other level.
But reports indicate that they are being misused with harmful results.
On March 14, 2024, the FDA issued an advisory warning consumers “not to inhale or recreationally use any flavor of nitrous oxide in any size canister, tank, or charger.”
When inhaled, nitrous oxide gas can result in serious adverse health effects, including death
According to the advisory, “these products can result in serious adverse health effects, including death.”
The advisory indicates the following brands, however the list may not be completely comprehensive. The advisory applies to all brands and flavors of nitrous oxide canisters or dispensers.
These products may be found at various retailers, including, but not limited to:
These products are being sold online and at retailers, including, but not limited to: Amazon.com, Ebay, Walmart, and at smoke/vape shops and gas stations.
For every warning there is someone who did it. Think about that when you read warning labels that tell you not to make toast in the bathtub or place a plastic bag over your head.
In this case, the intentional inhalation and misuse of nitrous oxide canisters, leading to serious health consequences.
“The FDA has observed an increase in reports of adverse events after inhalation of nitrous oxide products.” This attention has added this misuse and adverse events to the list of tracked public health events. According to the advisory, the agency will “take appropriate actions to protect the public’s health.”
What exactly does that mean?
We will likely discover that soon. But it will probably include age requirements for purchase or limited use for public consumption. The product may be required to bear a warning label or undergo some other type of regulatory requirement.
Only time will tell.
So, what happens when you inhale nitrous oxide? It is used every day in dentist offices around the world, after all.
When used for medical applications, nitrous oxide is administered under the supervision of a trained medical professional. Careful dosage and use of oxygen is maintained to help prevent adverse effects.
Inhaling gas from nitrous oxide canisters on the other hand, can cause a variety of symptoms and health problems.
Some of these symptoms include:
Prolonged use may cause neurological effects, including spinal cord or brain damage. Even after you stop inhaling the product.
The recreational high some people go for when they are misusing this culinary product is not worth it.
If you have recently used these products and are concerned about your health, the FDA recommends reaching out to your health care provider.
If you are concerned that someone in your family may misuse the nitrous oxide canisters purchased for culinary purposes, there are a few things you can do.
While nitrous oxide canisters offer a convenient way to dispense and potentially flavor your homemade whipped cream, you may opt for other options.
Infuse the heavy cream prior to whipping to add in the desired flavor if that is the aspect of nitrous oxide canisters that appeal to you most.
Consider piping whipped cream, much like you would cake frosting, as a delivery method. The result may not be as light and airy, but I am certain it will be delicious.
Keep nitrous oxide canisters under careful supervision. Children should not be left unattended with these items. Talk to your children about the dangers of misuse of the product. Education is half of the equation.
I expect that the flavored nitrous oxide canisters for sale at gas stations and smoke/vape shops are marketed for recreational, rather than culinary use. If you know of friends or family members who have used these items recreationally, it is a good idea to discuss with them the serious health consequences that misuse of this volatile product can cause.
Before delving into today’s trending topic on MakeFoodSafe.com, have you heard of nitrous oxide canisters for culinary use? This does sound like a neat way to add sophistication to your homemade desserts. But consider the costs.
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “The Misuse of Nitrous Oxide Canisters Has Prompted FDA Advisory,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)