Candy makers respond to call for choking hazard labels

The AAP said in its statement: “Food manufacturers should design new foods and redesign existing foods to avoid shapes, sizes, textures, and other characteristics that increase choking risk to children, to the extent possible.”​

The organization said that hot dogs pose the greatest risk of choking for children, followed by hard candy, nuts, whole grapes, chunks of fruit and vegetables, popcorn, peanut butter, marshmallows, chewing gum, and sausages.

Now the NCA has issued a statement, in which it says: “The confectionery industry feels very strongly about protecting the health and well-being of children and strives to make products safe for everyone.​

“Any type of food can present a choking hazard. Because candy is a popular food among children, parents should supervise its consumption, especially among very young children… For example, children should not run or play while eating.”​