TIL in 2015, a wine bar in the U.K. was fined £100,000 after a woman underwent lifesaving surgery to have her stomach removed, following her consumption of a liquid nitrogen cocktail. She had reportedly experienced "an explosion" in her stomach just four seconds after the drink was poured for her.

Imagine sipping a seemingly innocuous cocktail, mesmerized by its smoky, ethereal plume, only for it to become the catalyst for a life-altering medical emergency. This isn't a scene from a horror film but a stark reality for one woman in the UK back in 2015. The incident at Oscars Wine Bar in Lancaster serves as a chilling cautionary tale about the dangers of extreme mixology when safety protocols are overlooked.

The story of Gaby Scanlon, then an 18-year-old celebrating her birthday, captivated headlines and sparked urgent discussions about food and drink safety. Her experience, involving a liquid nitrogen cocktail, led to an "explosion" sensation in her stomach and required immediate, life-saving surgery to remove the organ. The bar involved faced severe consequences, including a hefty fine, underscoring the critical importance of understanding and respecting the power of the substances we consume and serve.

Key Takeaways

• Liquid nitrogen, while visually striking, is extremely dangerous for direct consumption due to its cryogenic temperature and rapid expansion into gas.
• Even small amounts of unevaporated liquid nitrogen can cause severe internal injuries, including frostbite and organ rupture.
• Businesses using novel ingredients or techniques must implement rigorous safety training and adhere strictly to health and safety regulations.
• Consumers should exercise caution and inquire about unusual ingredients, especially those with dramatic visual effects.

The Incident: A Nightmarish Cocktail

On October 4, 2012, Gaby Scanlon was enjoying her 18th birthday celebration at Oscars Wine Bar in Lancaster. She was served a cocktail called "Jagermeister Pornstar," which featured liquid nitrogen to create a dramatic, smoky effect. Within seconds of consuming the drink, Gaby experienced excruciating pain and what she described as an "explosion" in her stomach. Her internal organs began to swell rapidly, leading to her collapse and an emergency dash to the hospital.

Doctors quickly diagnosed her with a perforated stomach, a condition requiring immediate and drastic intervention. To save her life, surgeons had to perform a total gastrectomy, removing her entire stomach. This traumatic event left Gaby facing a lifetime of dietary restrictions and health management, a devastating outcome from what was meant to be a celebratory drink.

Liquid Nitrogen: The Science Behind the Chill

Liquid nitrogen (LN2) is nitrogen in a liquid state at an extremely low temperature. It boils at a staggering -196 °C (-321 °F). It is widely used in scientific and industrial applications, from cryogenics and medical procedures (like freezing warts) to flash-freezing food and beverages. Its dramatic, smoky vapor is created as it rapidly absorbs heat from the surrounding environment and reverts to its gaseous state.

For more detailed information on liquid nitrogen, you can visit its Wikipedia page.

Why It's Dangerous in Drinks

The danger of liquid nitrogen in cocktails stems from two primary properties:

1. Extreme Cold: Direct contact with liquid nitrogen causes instant, severe frostbite to living tissue. Internally, this can lead to devastating cold burns on the esophagus and stomach lining.
2. Rapid Expansion: As liquid nitrogen warms, even slightly, it vaporizes into nitrogen gas. This expansion is immense; one liter of liquid nitrogen produces approximately 700 liters of nitrogen gas. If ingested while still in its liquid state, this rapid expansion occurs inside the body, leading to immense pressure build-up. This pressure can cause internal organs, like the stomach, to rupture, as tragically happened to Gaby Scanlon.

While chefs use liquid nitrogen safely for flash-freezing (e.g., ice cream or desserts), the key is ensuring it has completely evaporated before consumption. When served in a drink where it can be directly ingested, the risks become incredibly high.

The Aftermath and Legal Ramifications

Following the horrific incident, a comprehensive investigation was launched by the authorities. Oscars Wine Bar, and its owner, were eventually prosecuted for breaching health and safety regulations. In 2015, the bar was fined £100,000, and its director, Andrew Dunn, was given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay £20,000 in costs.

The court heard that there was a "foreseeable risk" of harm and that the bar had failed to properly train staff or conduct adequate risk assessments for using liquid nitrogen in drinks. This case served as a stark reminder to businesses about their duty of care towards customers and the severe consequences of neglecting safety standards.

Regulations and Industry Response

The Gaby Scanlon case prompted a significant re-evaluation of the use of liquid nitrogen in food and drink. Health and safety bodies, particularly in the UK, issued updated guidance and warnings. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) emphasized that liquid nitrogen should only be used in catering if strict safety measures are in place to prevent any risk to consumers. The general consensus became that direct consumption of any food or drink still containing liquid nitrogen is unsafe and should be avoided.

For more information on health and safety regulations in the UK, consult the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website.

Safe Handling vs. Reckless Experimentation

It's crucial to distinguish between the safe, controlled use of liquid nitrogen in culinary settings and its reckless application. In professional kitchens, LN2 can be used to create unique textures or rapidly cool ingredients, but it's always ensured that the liquid nitrogen has completely evaporated before the food is served. This evaporation process is critical to eliminate any risk of ingestion.

Unfortunately, the allure of dramatic presentation sometimes overshadows fundamental safety principles. The incident at Oscars Wine Bar highlights the dire consequences when the desire for a visually spectacular effect trumps comprehensive risk assessment and staff training.

Aspect	Safe Use of Liquid Nitrogen in Food	Dangerous Use in Cocktails (Gaby Scanlon Case)
Purpose	Flash freezing, creating textures (e.g., ice cream, frozen sauces)	Dramatic visual effect (smoke/vapor)
Method	Food prepared, LN2 evaporates completely before serving	LN2 directly mixed into drink, not fully evaporated before consumption
Safety Protocol	Strict training, dedicated equipment, ventilation, clear serving instructions	Insufficient training, inadequate risk assessment, direct ingestion possible
Risk to Consumer	Minimal to none (if handled correctly)	Severe internal injury, frostbite, organ rupture, death

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about liquid nitrogen cocktails and safety:

• What is liquid nitrogen?

  Liquid nitrogen is nitrogen gas cooled to an extremely low temperature (-196 °C or -321 °F), turning it into a colorless, odorless liquid. It is a cryogenic liquid, meaning it can cause rapid freezing on contact.

• Why was liquid nitrogen used in cocktails?

  It was primarily used for its dramatic visual effect, creating a swirling "smoky" vapor as it boiled off, adding a theatrical element to drinks. It could also rapidly chill beverages.

• What were the consequences for Oscars Wine Bar?

  Oscars Wine Bar was fined £100,000 for breaching health and safety regulations, and its director received a suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay additional costs.

• Is it ever safe to consume liquid nitrogen directly?

  No, it is never safe to consume liquid nitrogen directly. It must be completely evaporated from food or drink before consumption to prevent severe internal injury, including frostbite and organ rupture due to rapid gas expansion.

Conclusion

The tragic case of Gaby Scanlon and the liquid nitrogen cocktail serves as a powerful reminder of the paramount importance of safety in all commercial settings, especially when dealing with potentially hazardous substances. While innovation and creativity are celebrated in the culinary world, they must never come at the expense of human well-being.

For businesses, this means thorough risk assessment, comprehensive staff training, and a deep understanding of the materials being used. For consumers, it underscores the value of awareness and the right to question ingredients and preparations that seem unusual or overly experimental. Ultimately, this incident teaches us that even the most visually appealing concoctions must adhere to fundamental safety principles to prevent a night of celebration from turning into a lifetime of regret.

Discipline life, Life Hacks, Food Safety, Health & Safety, Bar Management, Liquid Nitrogen, Public Safety