Why Flamin' Hot Cheetos are sending kids to ER

It's not only the schools: Some doctors are taking issue with Flamin' Hot Cheetos because they are leading to unnecessary emergency room visits.

Several school districts in New Mexico, California and Illinois have made the move to ban the snacks from their campuses because they lack nutritional value, and research suggests the snacks may create a brain response similar to what is seen in individuals who are addicted to illicit substances. But, medical professionals are saying there's other health fears associated with the snack that are leading to doctor's visits.

• Flamin' Hot Cheetos under fire from schools

Because the spicy snack contains a lot of red food dye, it can turn the stools of people who eat large quantities red or orange. Parents and kids may mistakenly assume that it is a sign of blood in the stool, leading to panicked trip to the hospital.

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Calif. school officials heated over Flamin' Hot Cheetos

The good news is that nothing is probably wrong, according to experts.

"Food such as beets or red peppers can make stool appear red, however it is not actually blood in the stool," Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency medicine physician for Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, told CBSNews.com.

Other foods with dyes that have also been reported to cause red stool include the dye found in red velvet cake.

But, St. Louis Children's Hospital pediatrician Dr. Kathleen Berchelmann pointed out to CBS station KMOX-TV in St. Louis, Mo. that you have to eat quite a bit of the red snack to see red in your stool. It may be it may be a sign of another health risk -- over-eating.

"So even though we might eat some foods with red food dye in them regularly, our stool doesn't usually become discolored unless you eat huge amounts of it," Berchelmann said. "Flamin' Hot Cheetos is one food that people will eat enormous amounts of and will see a change in their stool."

Glatter said that active bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract -- which includes the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and the first portion of the small bowel -- actually leads to stool that is black in color. Bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract, which includes the most of the small intestine, tends to be bright red or maroon in color.

To confirm if you are bleeding, doctors will run a fecal occult blood test. There are some other foods that can cause a false positive for blood in stool, including red meat, melons, (including cantaloupe), figs, horseradish, cauliflower, turnips and radishes so if you have been eating a lot of these items be sure to tell your doctor.

But red stool isn't the only problem that is sending kids who eat Flamin' Hot Cheetos to the ER.

"A number of patients who have consumed these Cheetos in excess have complained of pain in their upper abdomen, rising up into their chest, likely due to due to the red peppers and spice contained in the snack," Glatter said.

He warned that people with a history of GERD or gastroesophageal reflux -- which may cause heartburn and acid reflux -- should avoid the spicy treat because it can lead to a flare-up of their conditions.

[tlb131]

I just got done eating a bag of flamming hot cheetos out of my schools vending machine. They were delicious and I plan to do it again. I love my school!

[cntrygirl3]

This is amazing where are the parents of these kids consuming this quantity of anything in a bag unless it is carrots and radishes and even then too much of anything including water will make you sick. Maybe this is what this country needs to finally snap them into reality. READ THE LABEL the more ingredients the worse something is for you. The lady is right shop the outside aisles of the grocery store. Only go down an inner aisle for a staple don't buy anything in a can or box that has more than 3 ingredients. Grow your own food even if it is just a few herbs in a window box, cook, it really doesn't take any longer than going out to eat and is way cheaper. Most of all THINK about this article. Think how stupid doing this is.

[hypnotoad72]

Hmmm.... one bag of flaming hot Cheetos, and one bag of olestra Doritos... Talk about not-a-Kodak-moment...

[foo8259]

Shop the outer isles of the grocery stores where whole foods are found -- not the inner isles full of processed junk breads, sweets and cereals. Corn has the ability to fatten up a beef more quickly than pasture-grazing does; at a cost to cattle, which haven't evolved to digest corn, and are therefore fed antibiotics to offset the stresses caused by their unnatural diet and things like pathogenic E coli. The 1st ingredient in Cheetos and many other popular bag snacks? CORN! Your kids, when eating carbage, are following the USDA's Feedlot Pyramid.

[Taylor_Camp]

I JUST read, from my favorite website, that schools are removing hot Cheetos from their buildings! Apparently, they really don't have ANY nutritional value whatsoever and are highly addictive but are still insanely popular among young students and particularly in urban areas. The link is here: http://www.web2carz.com/trends/offline/1502/takimania-the-rise-of-a-mexican-snack

[Firepwr2]

"Red Poop" menace! The latest excuse to send in the government!!!

[hypnotoad72]

Firepwr2 -

Thank you for advocating childhood obesity and continued corporate profiteering.

[jgnv]

I'm embarrassed to admit that had occasion to eat a large bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos once and had a panic attack the next morning when my stools were bright red in color. I've never eaten another bag since. In fact I try very hard to avoid all snack chips whenever possible, but am still a sucker for Pringles.

[RealiteBites]

lol

The regular Flamin' Hots are delicious. The xxtra hot ones are almost inedible.

Funny story :p

[Puristat_Wellness_Center]

Did You Know? Poop color really can say a lot about your health!

See the FULL COLOR stool color chart here >>>

http://www.puristat.com/constipation/bowelcolor.aspx

[NaturalGirl]

This is not about being a wimp not being able to tolerate such fake food but the body telling one to wise up and avoid this stuff. My guess is that we'd all feel much better if we avoid ALL additives. Yes, all. Instead, eat delicious REAL food. There are thousands of fruits & vegetables just waiting to delight us. Really.

[CBSNancy]

most food tastes just wonderful, when you are actually hungry. too many today have never know how good simple food can taste, as they never are actually in need of food.

[dman6015]

Just don't drink too much 100% carrot juice or your skin will turn orange. Steve Jobs had that problem in his earlier overly healthy lifestyle.

[guest173]

What a bunch of wimps.

[Wookiee-1138]

Agreed.

Heck, after getting a bulk pack of bratwurst from costco and coating them with mustard and washing down with Mt. Dew AMP, my poop was lime green the next day.

You don't see me panicking and running to the Doc.