Assessment of choking hazards

of food products

Dr H SchnerrLeatherhead Food International Ltd., Randalls Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7RY +44 (0) 1372 822203 hschnerr@leatherheadfood.com

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

…