What Happens If You Eat Packing Peanuts?
Packing peanuts come in two types: styrofoam-based and starch-based. Neither is meant for eating. The styrofoam kind doesn’t break down or absorb in the body; it simply passes through (unless it causes a choking hazard first). The starch-based ones are technically digestible, but they are still not considered food. So please, don’t eat them. They are made in non-food-safe conditions and can come contaminated.
📞 If your child chews on a packing peanut, don’t panic. Just call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. We’re here 24/7, every day of the year, to give you free, confidential advice.
Transcript with visual descriptions
Visual: Thumbnail with an image of white packing peanuts and the title "What happens if you eat packing peanuts." The Missouri Poison Center logo is at the bottom right.
Sound: Upbeat instrumental music starts playing.
Visual: Person 1, wearing a blue "#Poison Prevention" t-shirt, sits in a studio-like room with LED strip lights. He holds white packing peanuts. A comment bubble overlay reads "do a video on packing peanuts".
Person 1: What happens if I eat packing peanuts? I used to think that if you ate too many of these, you'd explode. Like a water balloon filled with non-biodegradable material.
Visual: Hands hold a red balloon filled with clear liquid. A needle punctures it, and the balloon bursts, spraying liquid.
Sound: Splashing sound effect.
Person 2: AHH! MY INTESTINES!
Visual: Back with Person 1 in the studio room.
Person 1: Because styrofoam doesn't break down or get absorbed by the body when you ingest it. No. You're far more likely to choke than you are to turn into the human version of a piñata.
Visual: A colorful piñata is hit with a stick and bursts open, scattering candy.
Sound: Crashing sound effect.
Person 2: MY INTESTINES!
Visual: Back with Person 1 in the studio room.
Person 1: Now, there are two different kinds of packing peanuts: The kind made with styrofoam and the ones made with different kinds of starches.
Visual: Person 3 appears from the right.
Person 3: Ooh, starches? Like potatoes?!
Person 1: No. Packing peanuts aren't food, okay? Stop trying to make a case for that.
Person 3: What are you doing with those, anyway?
Visual: Person 1 holds up a large, clear plastic bag filled with white packing peanuts.
Person 1: Oh, this is your digestive tract if you eat too many.
Person 3: Ew.
Person 1: Yeah. Yeah, it's gross.
Visual: White background with the Missouri Poison Center logo and the phone number 1-800-222-1222. Blue text "Open 24/7!" appears diagonally above the logo.
AVO: If you find your child chewing on styrofoam, don't panic. Call the Missouri Poison Center right away at
Visual: Dark blue text appears that reads "There's always an expert standing by that's ready to consult on evaluation and management."
AVO: 1-800-222-1222.
Visual: Back with Person 1 in the studio room.
Person 1: We're open 24/7, 365.
