A woman in Moscow prepared a salad that ended up causing a medical scare after a dangerous mistake. A Telegram report from a Moscow hospital public channel described how lighter fluid was mistakenly mixed into a salad dressing and used with a meal that evening.
On the night of May 20, 2023, a Muscovite planned to cook a simple salad for her family. She intended to finish the dish with a sauce and serve it as part of a comforting family meal. Instead, she mixed the sauce with lighter fluid and spilled the hazardous liquid over the greens, turning the intended dish into an inedible combination. The incident prompted immediate concern for anyone who might have tasted the dressing.
One family member decided to sample the dish before serving it to others and soon became ill. The person was taken to a hospital where medical staff diagnosed acute pancreatitis. The case underscores how quickly a kitchen accident can escalate into a serious health issue, especially when toxic substances are involved or mistaken for food ingredients.
In another incident reported during the same period, doctors at a pediatric department in Stupino hospital treated an eight-year-old who had ingested a gel used for cleaning. The child had mixed the cleansing gel with juice and consumed it at night. Medical staff performed a gastric lavage to clear the stomach and provided medications to reduce stomach acidity. After receiving care, the child recovered and was discharged home a few days later. These events highlight the range of household exposure risks that can affect both adults and children and the importance of seeking prompt medical evaluation when exposure to household chemicals is suspected.
Experts emphasize the need for careful labeling and storage of household products, especially in kitchens where families prepare meals. They advise keeping all cleaners and gels securely away from food areas, using dedicated containers for non-food liquids, and never substituting household chemicals for edible ingredients. Public health authorities also remind caregivers to monitor children closely and to contact poison control or emergency services if accidental ingestion or exposure occurs. Such steps can prevent similar incidents and ensure quicker, safer outcomes for those affected.