The internet has done it again—this time, turning eating packing peanuts into a full-blown trend. TikTok users have started munching on biodegradable packing peanuts, convinced that because they dissolve in water, they must be safe to eat.
Spoiler alert: they’re not.
In countless videos, people casually pop the foam-like pieces into their mouths, calling them the “perfect bedtime snack.” One TikTok user even raved, “Did anyone know that Lush packing peanuts are edible??” as she chewed on one, blissfully unaware of the potential risks.
To be fair, the confusion isn’t entirely unfounded. Some brands, like Lush, use “eco-flo chips” made from potato starch, designed to break down easily in water and soil. But here’s the catch—biodegradable does NOT mean edible. Just because something melts away in water doesn’t mean your digestive system is thrilled about it.
Experts Sound the Alarm on Eating Packing Peanuts
Comments on these TikTok videos range from amused to downright horrified. One viewer warned, “Girl, those packing peanuts have probably been on the ground & touched by IDK how many people. Pls don’t die.” Another added, “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should!”
And they have a point. Even if the packing peanuts are made from plant-based materials, they’re not food. Experts say that best-case scenario, eating packing peanuts could leave you bloated and gassy. Worst case? Some of these packing materials contain acrylamide, a compound linked to cancer.
Angelica McGough, a nurse practitioner at ThriveLab, explained to Delish that the high heat used to produce these packing peanuts can create carcinogenic compounds. “Many vegetable oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which, when consumed excessively, contribute to an imbalance that promotes chronic inflammation,” she said. Over time, exposure to heated oils and cooking fumes has been linked to lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer.
A Trend Best Left in the Box
Sure, the idea of eating packing peanuts might seem quirky, but the reality is far less fun. The internet has no shortage of weird food experiments, but maybe let’s not turn shipping materials into snacks? If you’re really craving something crunchy, stick to popcorn—at least that won’t give you a stomachache or worse.
So, next time you open a package and see those fluffy little peanuts inside, resist the urge to snack. They’re great for protecting your fragile purchases, but not so great for your digestive system.
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