GEORGE TOWN: Parents should monitor their children’s food choices and teach them about the danger certain types of food pose to prevent cases of choking on food, say experts and relevant organisations.
Malaysian Paediatric Association president Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Ikram Ilias said parents should learn from the incident involving 10-year-old Mohammad Fahmi Hafiz Mohammad Fakhruddin, who was in critical condition after choking on a gummy candy last Tuesday.
The boy died while receiving treatment at the Penang Hospital on Thursday.
Dr Mohamad Ikram said the tragedy showed the importance of monitoring children’s food choices, particularly when it comes to snacks.
“Chewy candies, such as gummies, can pose a choking hazard, particularly for young children.
“Therefore, parents and guardians are advised to monitor the food provided to their children, ensuring it is safe and appropriate for consumption,” he told Bernama.
He said schools and vendors around school areas also play a crucial role in ensuring that the food items sold are safe and suitable for children.
He said the risk of choking is not limited to candy as fruits with seeds, such as longan, grapes and cherries, as well as nuts, can also cause choking.
Dr Mohamad Ikram said parents, guardians and educators can take several measures to ensure children’s safety, such as cutting food into small pieces and removing large seeds before giving them out.
“Ensure children eat while sitting and not running or playing. Children who eat while talking, running or playing increase the risk of choking.
“Teach them proper eating techniques by encouraging them to chew food slowly,” he said.
Dr Mohamad Ikram also urged parents and guardians to learn the Heimlich manoeuvre or other emergency procedures that could save lives in choking situations.
Consumers Association of Penang education officer NV Subbarow called for stricter regulations on food sold to children.
He said children are often unaware of the quality and ingredients of snacks, as they are more attracted to the colours and sweetness.
Therefore, the Health Ministry should regulate the snacks available in the market and ensure all children’s snacks have approved logos from the ministry.
Local government and town and country planning committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said authorities in Penang always collaborate with schools to monitor vendors selling near school premises.
“The local authorities have the power to take action against all unlicensed vendors throughout the state. If we receive complaints from schools about food and beverage sales occurring outside their gates, we will respond promptly to address those complaints.
“Our enforcement officers also conduct patrols to ensure vendors comply with regulations. If they fail to adhere to the rules, enforcement officers will issue notices or immediately confiscate the items,” he said.
Following this week’s incident, the Health Ministry announced on Friday that eyeball-shaped gummy candy will be banned on all online platforms and in the domestic market.
Investigations revealed that the product violated labelling requirements outlined in the Food Regulations 1985 and the Food Act 1983 (Act 281).
There is currently the Guidelines on Enforcement of the Ban on Food and Beverage Sales Outside School Gates (Second Edition 2021), which have been in effect since 2012.
The guidelines prohibit the sale of food and beverages within a 40m radius of the school perimeter for all food vendors.
