Teenagers have been eating washing machine tablets as part of a new challenge.

Teens eating washing tabs

Teens eating washing tabs

Doctors have warned the adolescents that ending up in hospital is ''no joke'' and people could end up dying if they continue to take part in the online craze 'Tide Pod Challenge', which sees participants pop the colourful capsules into their mouths and eat the liquid on camera, that has taken over the internet of the past year or so.

Dr. Alfred Aleguas Jr., managing director of the Florida Poison Information Center in Tampa, told USA Today that the fad may even be ''life-threatening.''

He said even swallowing a small amount of the concentrated detergent can cause diarrhea and vomiting, while a large amount could lead to breathing difficulties.

He added: ''Ending up in the emergency room is no joke.''

The trend has become so popular that Tide have been forced to offer some medical assistance in case someone does decide to ingest the colourful cleaning product.

Their website states: ''Our laundry pacs are a highly concentrated detergent meant to clean clothes ... They should not be played with, whatever the circumstance is, even if meant as a joke.''