An ice lolly manufacturer has said it will alter its recipe after one its frozen treats turned a little boy's face blue and his poo bright green.
Karen Brazier bought a box of Eezy Freezy ice pops for her son Archie, four, but shortly after tucking in he was left with blue hands, nose and mouth - and removing the mess proved easier said than done.
Thirty-three-year-old Karen said: "I've never seen anything like it. We tried getting it off with a baby wipe at first but it wouldn't budge.
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"It took ages to wash and scrub the dye off his poor little face and hands, which were all sore.
"Not only was his mouth bright blue but the next day his poo was green, which really upset him. God knows what it's done to his insides."
Karen says she picked up a box of the ice pops while out shopping at Home Bargains in Margate.
"I'd never bought them before but it was a hot day so I thought it would be a treat," she explained.
"Fortunately, his older brother Finlay wanted an ice cream instead so didn't have the same problem.
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"You have to freeze them when you get home but soon after Archie began eating the lolly, his mouth and tongue turned blue."
The shocked mum emailed manufacturer Rose and shared a post on the company's Facebook page.
In response, the manufacturer has said the lolly has too much colour dye in it and will reduce the amount added in future.
In an emailed reply, a technical assistant from Rose said: "I am sorry for the distress one of our products has caused you.
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"We have sold Blue Raspberry for many years as a fun and novel tongue painter for kids but we do appreciate it is not to everyone's liking and as such they are sold as part of a multipack of other fruit flavours.
"The colour used is E133 or Brilliant Blue and is a commonly used food dye. We dose at 100ppm, within the limits provided by the FSA, but I do accept that this might be a little high, so from the next production we will ensure this is reduced to ensure the colouring of the tongue is not as severe.
"I can suggest some remedies, but these are non specific and not from a professional point of view - I would use warm water and some form of soap/cleanser that you have in your house and that you have used on your/your child's face before, and use a cotton wool ball to rub lips.
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"Again I am sorry for the distress. If you still have the packaging is it possible to send by return the best before date.
"I would like to offer you as a gesture of goodwill a goody bag for your little one to enjoy."
But Karen is speaking out to warn other parents about the ice pops. She added: "I really don't want another parent to go through this because it is really quite alarming.
"What worries me is that the product is still on sale and should be withdrawn. I certainly won't be buying them again.
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"My sofa and rug is also covered in the dye but when I complained, all they offered us was a goody bag for Archie, which I thought was a bit of an insult."
Featured Image Credit: SWNS