The colorful bite-size package of laundry and dishwasher detergent pods bears an irresistible similarity to candy for many children. The problem of ingestion of detergent packets has become so widespread that the U.S. Cosumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued warnings about the dangers of the packets. These agencies warn that children are mistaking the packets for candy or teething toys. CPSC reports at least 500 incidents of detergent poisoning. CDC has reported about 1000 incidents in a two month span from May to June alone.

The packets were first introduced to the U.S. market in 2010. The packets or pods are designed to be dropped into dish or laundry washers as convenient alternatives to having to measure and pour detergent every time the washer needs to be run. However children are enticed to consume the products due to the shiny plastic material which resembles candy.

When kids eat these detergent packets it can cause vomiting, respiratory problems, and other severe side effects. The effects of the detergent can require hospitalization. In some cases intubation, a very painful and invasive treatment is required to remove the detergent from the stomach.

Interestingly, the CDC report explains that detergent pods seem to cause more adverse side effects than ingestion of detergent alone. Perhaps this is because the number of cases of ingestion of detergent is much more common now due to the prevalence of the pods versus regular liquid or powder detergent, which would be much more difficult to ingest comparable amounts.

Link: CDC report on Laundry Detergent Pods