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Assessment of choking hazards
of food products
Dr H SchnerrLeatherhead Food International Ltd., Randalls Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7RY +44 (0) 1372 822203 [email protected]
www.leatherheadfood.com
CSU Forum Project 120384
Choking occurs when food or small objects get caught in the throat or block the airway, preventing
oxygen from traveling to the lungs and the brain. After more than four minutes without oxygen, brain
damage or even death may occur.
Objective of the project
FOOD NON-FOODCoinsToys
INEDIBLES IN FOODPRODUCT PACKAGING
FOOD IMITATIONSErasers
‘FUNSTUFF’Toys
‘PRODUCT RELATED’Bottle cupsSachets
Any food has the potential for choking if not properly served and its consumption is not
sufficiently supervised.
NEISS database 2001
17,537 cases every year in the U.S.
160 deaths ≤ 14 years
53413942
21242104 915
3110<1
1
2
3
4
5-14
NEISS database 2001
60 % food related cases
just 9 % related toys
60%
31%
9%
Food
Nonfood
Unknown
Victims of suffocation age ≤141767 cases on food, U.K., 2001
Source: HASS & LASS by RoSPA; www.hassandlass.org.uk
Potential Causes of chocking in Children
44.5 mm
31.7 mm
57
.1m
m
European Standard on the Safety of Toys
Source: European Standard BSEN 71-1: 1998 (Safety of toys)
Deaths in U.K.
Source: Mortality statistics: injury and poisoning; National Statistics website www.statistics.gov.uk
0
50
100
150
200
250
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
All
<14
65+
Product Examples of High Choking Risk13
0466/05
Slovak Republic
Plastic eraser of various fruit shapes in pastel colours Country of origin: China
Risk of suffocation. The product can be mistaken for sweets. Due to the shape, colour and appearance of the erasers, there is a risk that small children can mistake them for foodstuffs. After being placed in the mouth, the product can be swallowed or breathed in and thus put health at risk.
Sale banned by the authority that ordered the retailers to inform consumers about the possibility of returning the goods.
20510/
05
Cyprus Stationery erasers “Bensia” ice cream shaped with fruit flavours and pictures. (type/model: 0202048132). Country of origin: Taiwan.
Risk of suffocation. Because of the appearance and the flavour a child can swallow the erasers. The erasers do not comply with the Dangerous Imitation Directive.
Voluntary withdrawal from distribution
Source: Consumer affairs; www.europa.eu.int
Outlook
Informal flyer to sensitise our customers for this topic
Detailed report on the literature review
Labelling strategies
Implementation of a test system
…