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The warning you see on the image above has always puzzled me.

Throw away. Do not Eat.

Many of the gift boxes we give our customers in the retail store I work contain these silica packets. And every time I see them I always pick one up, read it, and say…. “WTF?”

WHY? WHY? WHY?….would anyone ever think it was something to eat?

I understand that the warning is most likely there to prevent accidental ingestion by a small child.

But tell me…how many small children do you know today, under the age of 5, who can even READ a label without the use of kindergarten TEXT MESSAGING?

And if the warning is there for parents to keep it out of reach from their children that’s understandably wise, but why would an adult have to be told that something like this is not edible?

Do these manufacturers actually believe that a customer would think that perhaps a surprise packet of candy came inside their purchase?’

I mean couldn’t they just print the word silica and Keep Away From Children on the packet?

A few years ago I tore open one of these packets to examine it's content and discovered tiny odorless beads of hard silica.

Very uneventful.

Yesterday while I was at work I decided to test fate and risk my life for science and humanity by placing two of the beads on my tongue, just to see if they could possibly be mistaken for Ju Ju Bee candy.

They were totally tasteless.

Very uneventful.

Two of the ladies I work with suddenly screeched out in horror, “Ron…what the hell do you think you’re doing. Are you CRAZY??”

“Yes…I’m crazy. And just be ready to call 911 and a priest if I should suddenly start reacting like the little girl from the movie The Exorcist

But nothing happened.

Very uneventful.

I had absolutely no immediate reaction what-so-ever.

Later that evening…..






VERY eventful.




Wishing you an uneventful weekend everyone!





Update: I'll be in NYC all day tomorrow (Saturday) working, and will be responding to comments later in the evening. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

40 comments:

  1. If you really want to scare them use rock salt or something, swallow the rock salt and say "See? I'm still ali--" drop on the floor and do a seizure of academy award caliber. Heheeeee.

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  2. Joan Honey...our society has become so sue happy over the smallest thing that if there are not warnings on there could you imagine how much more jam packed our legal system would be. Sad but true...Sue Sue Sue is all anyone thinks of. OMG your head is spinning.

    And you low life wench, you have my curiosity up and I wanna taste them as well. Oh you evil woman.

    "My daddy left home when I was three
    And he didn't leave much to ma and me
    Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze.
    Now, I don't blame him cause he run and hid
    But the meanest thing that he ever did
    Was before he left, he went and named me "Sue."

    Bet ya didn't think I could belt one out in such a baritone voice did ya...Ha

    O crap I gotta taste those things. Ya know come to think of it maybe I have. No wonder I always spit nails.

    Have a Happy Positive Day, 2009

    Ethel

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  3. funny! funny! funny! you are a riot and crazy for eating those little beads. didn't you read the package. DO NOT EAT!!! well i guess you lived to write about it, even if it messed up your hair and made you look a little crazy.

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  4. Just don't stick your finger in any outlets to see how much of a jolt you could get, okay?? hehe

    OMG, this reminds me of a situation back in May after my little grandson's 2nd birthday party. In addition to toys and clothes, he had gotten a couple pairs of sandals as gifts. My daughter cleaned up after the party but one of those little packets must have fallen out of the box and guess who found it???
    The curious 2 year old!!
    D called me in a bit of a panic saying that he didn't eat the whole thing, but she heard him chomping on something, went to investigate, and found the thing in his mouth. Didn't know what to do. I told her to relax, it didn't seem that he'd swallowed much of it or even any, but I had her call Poison Control anyway.
    I don't remember what they said but he was fine and didn't need any sort of medical attention.

    Of course the labeling is to prevent law suits or something.
    If someone thought they were getting a little tasty snack as a free gift with purchase of their new handbag and then got a respiratory infection or something from it, they would try to get free shit from the company. You know, for pain and suffering. Or they'de be submitting dental bills for chipping a tooth on the stuff.

    There are alot of people walking around looking for ways to sue. And others who are just missing a few crayons out of their box and need labels like that on bunches of stuff. LOL

    Have a fabu weekend. Stay cool!!!

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  5. *nodding*

    Very uneventful.

    *shrugs*

    Been there, tasted that--

    *laughing*
    You'd expect less? ;-)

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  6. Good post, and a very curious subject! Bill Engvall once did a bit on this: "Ooooeee, Honey, looks like someone left some Chiclets inside the stereo box!"

    See you soon.

    EFH

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  7. Because some gubberment agency spends millions of our tax dollars doing studies on the possibility that someone might look at that little packet and see a tasty snack!

    We, as a society, have become unable to think for ourselves. Unable to look at our choices and our options and choose wisely what is best for OUR life. Instead we leave it up to bureaucratic F**K's to decide. We shut off our brains and let the man behind the magical curtain in oz figure it all out for us. It's way less work that way.

    I recently found out that parents can be ticketed for allowing their children to ride a bike without a helmet! If that one was around when the manchild was younger, I would have challenged that stupid law to the Supreme Court! I don't need the government telling how to best keep my child safe. Sometimes you fall. Sometimes you need stitches. What next, kids can't walk to school without a large plastic bubble around them? When we are constantly told what we HAVE to do, we lose the ability to think and figure out this wonderful thing called life.

    That would be why fools can collect millions from McDonalds and claim they didn't realize the coffee they ordered would possibly be HOT ENOUGH TO BURN THEM! Doh.

    On that happy note, Y'all have a fabulous weekend, Sugar!

    xoxo
    ~vk~

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  8. silica is one of the most common elements in the universe. the only thing it will do to you after eating it is give you hemorrhoids the next day.

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  9. Hi Ron,
    I'm have to stop laughing even to type... Though the idea of you possibly needing a stomach pump & stay in the hospital flashed through my head. You really have no fear !! I think that I would be almost calling 911 !!

    I agree that the labeling should be bigger and calling towards the possible danger for children.

    You lived in Japan, and you might remember that dry food products in Japan,almost always contain these little packets in them. They never touch the food itself, as the Japanese always "overwrap everything". But it makes you wonder what the eventual effects of this junk...

    Big hugs to ya, ya wild & crazy guy from D & I!
    XXXX

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  10. Aloha Debi!

    That's a GREAT idea, girl!!!!

    After I put them on my tongue, I actually pretended to SCREAM out in pain!!

    *they were NOT impressed. They just turned around and continued working.

    Somehow they KNOW me at work.

    HA!

    Thanks for stopping by, Deb!

    Have a great weekend!!

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  11. Aloha Ethel!

    TRUE!

    VERY true!

    SUE HAPPY!

    But please DO try and taste them, because trust me, Ethel...it was VERY uneventful.

    *but you better not SUE me if your tongue falls off!

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    Well, I'm totally stumped. I have no idea what that song is. But your baritone voice sounded lovely!

    Happy Positive Day, Thom!

    Thanks for reminding me!!!

    Enjoy your weekend, bud!

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  12. Hiya Valerie!

    Well, considering all the stuff I've tried eating it's amazing I'm even still alive.

    Honestly...

    ...I've tasted hair conditioner, face moisturizer, after-shave balm, you name it...I've tried it.

    *I ain't right.

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    ALWAYS great seeing ya, Val!

    Thank you for stopping by!

    Have a great weekend!

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  13. Hellooooo Crystal Chick!

    You're first sentence reminded me of a time when I was a kid, and I took one of my fathers car keys and inserted it into an electrical wall socket.

    Even to this day I can remember what it felt like as the electricity surged up my arm!!!!

    *and curled my hair.

    HA!

    Yes...you and Thom are exactly right...

    ....SUE prevention!!

    I'm so glad to hear your grandson was ok. I bet your daughter was relieved to hear that from Poison Control.

    Strange things, those little silica beads. I bit one too. It was like crunching on GLASS!!

    Anway, neighbor...thanks a bunch for stopping by and sharing. I always love talking with ya!

    OMG...can you BELIEVE the freakin' humidity we're getting???

    I have to go to NYC tomorrow and I'm just imagining what the humidity is going to be like there.

    Pray for me!

    Have a fabu weekend, M!

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  14. Hiya Mel!

    Why am I NOT surprise to hear that my Libra friend tried the same thing???

    We're "experimental creatures" aren't we???

    bwhahahahahahaha!

    Always great seeing ya, dear lady!

    Have a wonderful weekend.

    And watch out for those silica beads. The effects creep up on you!

    HA!

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  15. Hiya Expat!

    I can't believe you mentioned "Chiclets" because as I was writing this post, I was actually thinking about saying that instead of Ju Ju Bees.

    *not alot of people have heard of Ju Ju Bees.

    Me?

    I ate them by the BOXFULL!!!

    And I have the "cavities" to prove it!

    HA!

    Always great seeing ya, Expat!

    Enjoy your weekend.

    Thanks for dropping by!

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  16. Afternoon Vixen Kitten!

    You GO...girl!

    And may I reitorate your last paragraph because it sums up my own feelings...

    ...That would be why fools can collect millions from McDonalds and claim they didn't realize the coffee they ordered would possibly be HOT ENOUGH TO BURN THEM!...

    Doh.

    Thank you for sharing your passionate voice on this post, dear one!

    BRAVA!

    Wishing you the BESTEST of weekends!

    Hugs to you and Honey!

    {{{{VK&H}}}}}}

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  17. Hi Geology Joe!

    Thanks for stopping by and sharing a comment.

    Nice to meet you.

    Hey, thanks for the info. Honestly, I had no idea about silica.

    * or about the hemorrhoids.

    HA!

    Enjoy your weekend!

    Please stop by anytime!

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  18. Bonjour Barbara!

    Call 911! Call 911!

    rrreeeeeerrrrr! rrrreeeerrrrr!

    HAHAHHAHAHAHA!

    Yes Barb, I do in fact remember those things being in all their dry food products. And I also remember how the Japanese overwrap things. OMG...whenever I would buy something from them, I would watch in amazement how much TIME it took for them to wrap your purchase!!

    I still have some of the wrapping paper I saved.

    Anway, my Philly friend...thanks a bunch for stopping by today.

    *I hope I didn't scare you too much with those silica beads.

    Tee, hee!

    {{{{XXX}}}} to you and Didier!

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  19. Joan *as Ethel bitch slaps you*

    A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash

    *Ethel bitch slaps again and again and again...

    OMG feels like were in the movie Airplane

    And Joan, since you are now positively aware and back to reality about the song, I have commented as to why the apples were even put in that post. Clever eyes dear

    Love

    Ethel

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  20. Ethel....

    There is no way in HELL I would have guest that was a song by Johnny Cash!?!?!?

    You totally got me on that one!!

    I bet you would have been a great contestant for the TV show "Name That Tune."

    Ok...later tonight, I'll come back and check your response to the Apple photo. That was TOO funny!!!

    Much Aloha,
    Mildred Pierce

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  21. Okay, when I first started reading this, I thought you were going to say that you had an unfortunate incident and accidentally ate some. Like my friend who ate the label on the apple.

    Then I read that you INTENTIONALLY put it in your mouth?? C'mon now, I'm sure you can find lots of other things to put in your mouth that shouldn't go near children, either.

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  22. Hiya Chrissy!

    I know...

    ...but when you dedicate yourself to science and humanity (like I do) you'll put ANYTHING in your mouth once.

    *and TWICE if I like it.

    bwhahahahahahahaha!

    The ladies that worked with almost SHIT!

    Thanks for dropping by, Chrissy!

    Sincerely,
    The Guinea Pig

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  23. well I always wondered what was up with those packets, it's a Zombie plot!
    thanks for the warning!
    ~snicker~
    Love ya! ya crazy man~~~!

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  24. Hiya Lady Sorrow!

    It's amazing how when you're bored at work, you'll try just about anything to make the time fly by!!

    There's nothing more dangerous than a bored Ronnie.

    (ask my mother)

    hahahahahhahaha!

    Always so wonderful seeing ya, dear Sorrow!

    Have a GREAT weekend!

    {{{{{Sorrow}}}}}

    X

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  25. great post, ron, and so true...kindergarten texting-of course!! *grin*

    I have been hiding again so have not been out and about...please forgive me----again...... really, I keep having to do this stuff and need to sort of look at that!

    glad to know I can eat those if I accidentally do...I have tasted them just like you and I am convinced we are long separated sibs....at some time in life, we both do the same things, most of them crazy[eating the silica is not one of them!]!

    well, have fun in the big city, dear one...much love and hugs and kisses xoxoxoxox

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  26. Oh no...
    in one of my replies to you I called you "Ron-Ethel". I'm sorry. I'm just so very stressed out about SO many things right now, and tired. It was temporary memory lapse on my part. Apologies also to the real Ethel :O

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  27. good heavens what a day to be in NYC!!!
    a million degrees and two thousand percent humidity
    and then the rains

    Oy!! I hope you're lying in the AC right now

    lawyers are to blame for all this stupid crap
    everything needs to be looked at in terms of how can we make sure an idiot doesn't sue us

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  28. Joan

    So your still trying to get approval from your daughter I see. You are such a vixen.

    "Each fish and worm
    Begins to twist and squirm
    The ship goes in a dip
    And does a corkscrew turn,
    You see that smoke so black
    Sneak from that old smokestack?
    It's floatin' right to heaven
    And it won't come back.
    Now here and there
    You'll see a stool and chair
    A-slippin' round the cabin
    Sayin' "I don't care!"
    Then the hammock starts a-swingin'
    And the bell begins a-ringin'
    While he's sittin' at that piana
    There on the Alabama
    Playin' the Oceana Roll!"

    Aloha Millie

    Ethel

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  29. Helloooooo Linda!

    "Kindergarten text messaging."

    I couldn't resist saying that.

    Tee, hee!

    But ain't that truth??? I bet they learn how to text message at pre-school!!

    Hey listen, no worries...you gotta do what you gotta do and take care of things. And sometimes that means that blogging is second, or third, or fourth on the list - so I totally understand, my friend.

    OMG...so YOU'VE tasted those silica beads too????

    We ARE long separated sibs!!!!

    I just got home from NYC about an hour and I'm EXHAUSTED!! I've been up since 5 am. And even though my trip was work-related, I had faaaabulous time!

    I LOVE that city!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Linda!

    Hope you had a great Saturday!

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

    {{{{{{xLindax}}}}}}}

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  30. Hi Debi!

    OMG...too funny!

    That must have been a reply you left on a previous post, because I couldn't find your Ron-Ethel reply on this one!?!?

    So I must not have even noticed it myself!?!?

    hahahahaha!

    Anyway, my wonderful friend...I hope everything is smoothing out a bit for ya.

    Sending you lots of "good energy" and a BIG hug.

    (((((((Deb}}}}}}}}

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  31. Howdy Dianne!

    I was in NYC city today (Saturday) not yesterday.

    OY VEY...there's no WAY I would have gong into NYC on Friday!!!

    Wasn't the humidity the WORST??? And the rain made it even MORE humid -YUCKY!

    Actually, today was a wonderful day to be in the city. I walked outside to grab some lunch and there was a beautiful coolish breeze blowing.

    aaaaaah!

    Oh, how I LOVE that city!!!!

    Thanks for stopping by, dearest lady!

    Hope you're having a COOL weekend!

    X ya!

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  32. Yes Vita!

    Mommy wants her daughter to approve of her PIE making!!

    "I did the best I could."

    bwhahahahahahahaha!

    Aloha,
    Mildred

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  33. LOL trust you to try it!

    I'm laughing at Debi's comment - that's a great idea - you should do it and let us know what happens. :)

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  34. I have always wanted to eat what was in one of those packets, but thought I would die...Thanks for taking the risk for me.

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  35. Hi.

    This was a really funny article. You cracked me up about testing fate (and your life) for science. Looks like you lived AND discovered something scientific. If you put it in your mouth you're not going to die...at least not immediately :)

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  36. Hi Akelamalu!

    I know...wasn't her comment a RIOT??

    I'm seriously considering doing it, too!

    Great seeing ya, m'dear!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by!

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  37. Hellooo Funny Girl!

    No, I didn't die...but my tongue is permanately purple and my teeth fell out.

    So it's perfectly safe.

    Bwhhahahahahahahahaha!

    Hope you had a great weekend, girl!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  38. Hi Christa!

    Yes...I've dedicated my life to science in order that others may LIVE.

    I'm such a dare devil.

    Hahahahahahahahaha!

    And I'm still alive, barely, so it must be safe.

    Thanks for dropping by, Christa!

    Hope you had a MARVI weekend!

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  39. omg Vita. too funny. I looked for the Ron-Ethel thing to. We are going to have to get deb not so stressed out some how. Maybe just have her sign Elton or something. I dunno.

    Well Mildred...did she show ya the pie hole while she was baking?

    "So bye-bye, miss american pie.
    Drove my chevy to the levee,
    But the levee was dry.
    And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
    Singin', "this'll be the day that I die.
    "this'll be the day that I die."

    Aloha

    Vita

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  40. Aloha Ethel!

    "Aren't the pies enough, mother? Did you have to degrade us even more???"

    SLAP!

    bwhahahahahahaha!

    With love,
    Miss American Pie

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