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 Gilbert & Ollanik, PC today and ask to speak with one of our products liability lawyers