Coming up roses: pill makes farts smell of flowers
French inventor sells rose-scented pills –and introduces a new chocolate pill in time for Christmas
A French inventor claims he has invented a pill that can imbue flatulence with the smell of roses, violets or chocolate.
Christian Poincheval, 65, says that the pills will also help ease indigestion and are made from natural ingredients including fennel, blueberries and seaweed.
On his website pilulepet.com (which translates to 'fart-pill'), Poincheval says that the medicine works by regulating digestion. The pills cost €9.99 (£8) for a jar of 60 and there is also a powdered version that can be given to "dogs that stink".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Poincheval says that the idea came to him at a dinner party with friends who had become so flatulent that "we were nearly suffocated". He determined that he would create a solution.
The tablets have been on sale since 2006, but Poincheval, who is based in the village of Gesvres in western France, says he has devised a new version in time for Christmas that will make farts smell of chocolate. He claims that he sells a few hundred jars a month.
"I have all sorts of customers," he told the Daily Telegraph. "Some buy them because they have problems with flatulence and some buy them as a joke to send to their friends. Christmases always see a surge in sales."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A new era of hurricanes'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
How Britain's demographic is changing
A 50-year record population increase was fuelled by greater migration
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
The story of Japanese jeweller Tasaki
The Blend A revival in the use of pearls in fashion and jewellery design places heritage brand Tasaki centre stage
By Felix Bischof Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Modern royal scandals from around the world
The Explainer From Spain to the UAE, royal families have often been besieged by negative events
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published