Choking accidents is the number one cause of death for kids in the 14 and under age group, and now, the American Academy of Pediatrics want food manufacturers to put warning labels on foods that pose this particular danger to kids. The country’s largest group of pediatricians says that at least one kid in the US dies every five day from a food-related choking accident.
More than 10,000 children end up in hospital ERs each year because of choking accidents. Kids 4 and under are the ones at highest risk of getting hurt or dying from accidentally choking on food. All their molars haven’t grown in, and their airways are just small enough for food and other foreign objects to get caught in.
The pediatrician’s group says that if the federal government can put into place standards, laws, and regulations protecting children from toys and other products that are choking hazards, then why can’t the same protections be enforced over food? The group even wants food manufacturers to resize and shape foods that are choking hazards.
Examples of foods that are choking hazards:
- Hot Dogs
- Peanut butter
- Grapes
- Peanuts
- Candies
- Popcorn
- Marshmallows
- Chips
- Apples
- Carrots
- Chunks of meat
- Cheese pieces
Choking can occur when a child swallows a foreign object that gets stuck in his/her airways. Just a few minutes being deprived of oxygen can cause a traumatic brain injury or lead to death. WebMD.com reports that choking is the number one cause of child brain injuries.
Our child injury lawyers believe that product manufacturers should be held accountable for injuries to children and minors that are caused by their defectively designed or manufactured products.
US Pediatricians Call for Action to Prevent Choking Deaths, VOANews, February 23, 2010
Labels urged for foods that can choke kids
Related Web Resources:
Choking Prevention, HealthyChildren.org
American Academy of Pediatrics
If your child was injured in a choking accident involving food, toys, crayons, or another consumer good that was made, manufactured, or packaged by a manufacturer, contact The Gilbert Law Group, P.C. today and ask to speak with one of our products liability lawyers
