MPs debate liquid nitrogen ban

MPs have debated a ban in using liquid nitrogen in drinks following the serious injury to an 18-year-old girl who drank a cocktail containing the ingredient.

The adjournment debate took place in the House of Commons at the end of last week after being tabled by David Morris MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale. Morris is the MP of Gaby Scanlon, the girl whose stomach was removed after she drank a “nitro Jagemister” cocktail that contained liquid nitrogen.

Morris told the Commons: “Nitrogen boils at minus 196° centigrade, making it very dangerous in liquid form. The idea that someone could drink a cocktail that contains an ingredient that is minus 196° centigrade is obviously dangerous and must stop.

“As we know, there are lots of laws and regulations on the food and drink we consume, and it is illegal to serve anything that is injurious to health, but how many people know of the dangers of liquid nitrogen used in this fashion? Gaby Scanlon did not know, and, had I been in that bar at the time, I would not have known.

“I do not support greater vigilance; I support an outright ban.”

He concluded: “I call on Health Ministers to support an outright ban on the use of liquid nitrogen as an ingredient. If we take this opportunity now, we will prevent other young people from going through the shock, pain and disruption that Gaby Scanlon did.

“When someone walks into a bar or restaurant in this country, they have a right to know that what is being served is safe, and the House has a duty to enforce that right.”

In responding to Morris, the parliamentary under secretary for health, Dr Daniel Porter MP said: “We expect those who sell and promote alcohol to do so responsibly. The alcohol industry in general has made a core commitment, through the public health responsibility deal, to foster a better culture of responsible drinking. We are grateful for the national recognition of the importance of the issue by the alcohol industry.

“Initial action has been taken to warn consumers of the risks of consuming drinks containing liquid nitrogen and to ensure that local authorities are vigilant in their inspection of food businesses with regard to the sale of this product. We do not yet have all the information about what happened in the bar in Lancaster, so we need to wait for the conclusion of the investigation by the council.

“However, I reassure my honourable friend that we will take the results of that investigation seriously and the FSA will consider them. We must ensure that what happened to Gaby does not happen again to other young people.”