A woman in China, identified only as Ms. Wu, suffered injuries to her mouth after she mistook a firecracker for a milk candy and bit into it. The incident, which occurred in Chengdu, Sichuan province, has sparked concerns on social media regarding the misleading packaging of the firecrackers, known as “Shuang pao”.

According to a report in the South China Morning Post, Wu shared her experience on Chinese social media, explaining that the packaging of the firecracker closely resembled that of milk candies. Her younger brother had brought the firecracker home, and Wu mistook it for a treat. This “innocuous mistake led her to consume the firecracker which exploded unexpectedly, resulting in mouth injuries”.

“Smash firecracker” causes unexpected explosion

“Shuang pao,” which translates to “smash firecracker,” are designed to ignite without a flame. They explode with a loud pop when dropped or subjected to pressure[1]. In Wu’s case, the pressure came when she bit down on it. These firecrackers are popular in China for celebrations such as weddings, parties, and family gatherings, especially during the Lunar New Year.

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Account of the incident

Wu recounted the incident, stating, “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”.

She further 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”.

Packaging concerns and social media response

Photos shared by Wu showed the firecrackers wrapped in plastic film and covered with aluminium foil, resembling pill packaging. Images of her mouth revealed visible blood stains, though it remains uncertain whether she sought medical treatment.

Wu questioned, “Shouldn’t these firecrackers be packaged in a box?”

Following Wu’s post, many social media users agreed that the packaging was misleading and called for authorities to issue a directive to prevent similar incidents. They suggested that the firecrackers should be packaged in a way that clearly distinguishes them from food products.