• 15
  • March
    2010

From seat belts to toys - warning labels are everywhere. Especially when it comes to small children, laws are in place to ensure that the products in our homes, cars and elsewhere carry warnings.

Still, small children are choking on more than Legos. Where are these product liability standards in regards to dangerous foods?

Up until this point, food manufacturers have not been required to carry warning labels on their products - this in spite of the fact that foods like hot dogs pose a very serious choking risk to young children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is trying to change this, and, recently, the group released a policy statement calling for a food labeling system. Warnings on foods such as hot dogs, grapes and peanuts would alert parents to the choking risks posed by these foods.

The pediatrician group estimates that more than 100 children die every year in food-related choking incidents - or one child every five days. Those supporting the push for food warning labels feel that, by providing better information to parents, this number could be lowered significantly.

In addition to labels, the American Academy of Pediatrics has called for:

  • a recall on the most dangerous foods, such as hot dogs
  • a surveillance and reporting system for food-related choking incidents.
  • better food design and product redesign where necessary
  • CPR and first aid requirements for parents, teachers and child care providers

The group also released list of the top 10 most dangerous foods, which can be found online.

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