A 12-year-old boy was hospitalized with chest discomfort after consuming over 50 pieces of Tyson Fury’s ‘Furocity’ caffeine chewing gum in a single day. Oliver Wood, 12, purchased four packs for £1 at Farmfoods, mistakenly thinking they were regular chewing gums.
Unaware of the consequences, he ingested more than 2,000mg of caffeine within 24 hours, equivalent to 20 cups of coffee or around 25 cans of Red Bull. Concerned about his symptoms, Oliver confided in his mother Anne-Marie Willis, 35, about chest pains and feeling shaky and jittery.
Following blood tests at the hospital, Oliver was released at 5am the next day once his heart rate normalized. Anne-Marie aims to caution other parents about the dangers of caffeinated gum for children.
Each pack of the gum contains 1840mg of caffeine. As per Bupa’s guidelines, a healthy 10-year-old’s safe caffeine intake is capped at 90mg per day – equivalent to two cups of weak tea. While there are no laws prohibiting the sale of caffeine products to minors, the government has proposed banning high-caffeine energy drinks for children under 16 in its 10-year health plan.
Anne-Marie, a full-time carer from Swindon, Wiltshire, expressed her shock, stating that Oliver thought the gum was normal due to its low price and association with Tyson Fury. She emphasized the need for more awareness among parents, highlighting the potential risks of such products being easily accessible to minors.
Oliver bought the discounted gum at Farmfoods in Swindon on August 28, consuming an entire pack and starting a second before feeling unwell. Anne-Marie’s prompt action in contacting emergency services led to Oliver’s hospitalization and subsequent recovery.
Although grateful for Oliver’s recovery, Anne-Marie believes it was a close call. She noted that the gum’s packaging carries a warning advising against its use by children or pregnant women.
After lodging a complaint with Farmfoods, Anne-Marie received a £10 voucher as a goodwill gesture. While there are no age restrictions on such products, Farmfoods stated that their staff exercise discretion when selling such items.
Anne-Marie stressed the importance of regulating the sale of such products, emphasizing the need for responsible marketing and sales practices to prevent accidental overdoses among children. She has engaged with authorities and Furocity for further action, while Farmfoods declined to comment on the issue.