Damaged smell makes children fussy eaters

COVID could be turning children into ‘fussy eaters’ because it damages their sense of smell, experts have warned.

Some Covid sufferers develop a condition known as parosmia where they experience often unpleasant smell distortions. Instead of lemon, they smell rotting cabbage while chocolate may resemble petrol.

Up to 250,000 UK adults have suffered the normally temporary condition as a result of Covid. Now experts say it could be turning children against their food. Duncan Boak, of smell and taste charity Fifth Sense, said if ‘food smells and tastes disgusting it’s going to be really hard for them to eat the foods they once loved’.

The charity has released guidance on recognising and coping with the disorder.