A TERRIFIED mum has warned parents how her son had a “lucky escape” after he overdosed on Tyson Fury’s energy gum.
Oliver Wood, 12, was rushed to hospital after chewing 50 of the sweets in less than 24 hours, consuming more than 2000mg of caffeine – equivalent of 25 Red Bulls.
Anne-Marie Willis with her son Oliver Wood, who was rushed to hospital after accidentally overdoing on gum[/caption]
The Tyson Fury pre-workout treat is not recommended for kids, but shops still sell them[/caption]
Mum Anne-Marie Willis, 35, last night said she thought his life was at risk and demanded tighter regulation over selling the pre-workout Furocity products to youngsters.
The packaging says the Tyson Fury gums are not suitable for children and warns against excessive consumption, but nothing actually stops shops selling them.
Anne-Marie said: “It could be life-threatening. It’s the fact that they even sell it to children.
“The fact that anybody could easily overdose on a product, that a child could is the concern.
“It’s disgusting that children can so easily buy it. There needs to be more restrictions.”
Oliver was out with mates on Thursday when they bought four packets on offer for £1 from Farmfoods in Swindon, Wiltshire. No adults were with them.
But he later felt light-headed and his heart rate shot up before panicked mum Anne-Marie called 999.
Each packet contains 46 gums, with 40mg of caffeine per gum.
Anne-Marie added: “He had a lucky escape. He bought them on Thursday and had been having them over the course of the hours when he came home.
“He showed it to me and asked if I wanted some. I checked the packaging and thought ‘oh my God’ this is bad.
“He started complaining of chest pain. We spoke to 111. It’s classed as an accidental overdose.
“The fact you can even overdose on a gum product!
“It was very scary. They did an ECG. His heart rate was fluctuating up and down.
“He said his chest was really hurting, it was acting really weird. He became really tired, he wasn’t wired. He was dehydrated.
“It was very scary. You wouldn’t think it could happen – it’s just gum. You don’t think children could ever overdose on something like that.
“I was in a panic. I genuinely thought his life was at risk.”
He was taken to Great Western Hospital and stayed for around four hours. They did another ECG and blood tests before sending him home.
He had chest pain and a headache for the days after but is expected to make a good recovery.
In an email to Anne-Marie, Farmfoods apologised for the distress caused and said: “While there is not presently an age restriction on such products, we do ask shop teams to use their discretion when selling these items.
“As such, your comments have been forwarded to the area manager responsible for our Swindon shop for their information and any necessary action.”
Tyson Fury fan mum Anne-Marie insisted her concerns are not aimed at the boxer, but that shops should have more restrictions in selling the gums to children.
Farmfoods declined to comment.
Each packet contains 46 gums, with 40mg of caffeine per gum[/caption]
Anne-Marie wants tighter regulation on selling the gum to kids[/caption]