Last Updated: December 20, 2013Topic: Choking Prevention
The risk of choking on a food product is multi-faceted and is not dependent only on food. Any object small enough to lodge in the throat, including many non-food items, can present a choking hazard. NCA and the confectionery industry feels very strongly about protecting the health and well-being of children and strive to make products safe for everyone.
Children under the age of four years are more susceptible to choking on foods and non-food items. Young children do not yet have fully developed teeth for chewing, have smaller airways and have immature swallowing mechanisms. It's important for an adult to supervise the consumption of any type of food among young children and to teach children of all ages how to safely consume food. For example, children should not run, walk, play or lie down while eating, and should eat their food slowly, taking small bites and chewing well before swallowing. Awareness of all of these factors can have a large impact on reducing the incidence of choking.