Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A unique ice cream with paracetamol flavor introduced in an ice cream shop in the Netherlands has gone viral, leaving social media users in disbelief. The buzz began after images of an ice cream box labeled as containing 500 mg of paracetamol circulated widely on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
The viral photo showed an ice cream container tagged with “Paracetamol 500g,” sparking intrigue among netizens. The caption accompanying the image claimed that the six-liter ice cream batch was infused with 20 paracetamol tablets, mixed with lemon for added flavor. According to the post, this ice crema was designed as a remedy for headaches, offering a combination of a refreshing treat and pain relief.
The unique claim immediately drew mixed reactions online. While some expressed curiosity and a willingness to try the unconventional dessert, others raised concerns about the safety of consuming such a product, if it were indeed available for purchase.
However, according to Kumparan, citing a report from News18, the story behind the ice cream is nothing more than a hoax. The image in question had already gone viral back in 2018 on Facebook, where it was shared over 66,000 times, causing a similar uproar.
Despite its resurgence, the ice cream does not actually exist, nor does it contain any pain-relieving properties as suggested.
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Dutch online fact-checking authorities have debunked the claim, revealing that the original photo was part of a promotional gimmick for a Dutch fairground event back in 2016. It was never intended to be taken seriously or to indicate the availability of such a product for public consumption.
From a medical standpoint, incorporating drugs like paracetamol into food or beverages without proper regulation poses significant health risks. Such practices would also violate food and drug safety laws in various countries, including across Europe.
While the concept may have piqued public interest, the so-called “paracetamol-flavored” ice cream remains nothing more than an amusing experiment that never saw production or commercial sale.
Some users have even repurposed the viral photo as an April Fool’s prank over the years. As of now, there is no genuine paracetamol infused ice cream being sold in the Netherlands, and the very idea of it could be potentially dangerous if ever realized.
(Raidi/Agung)
