Choking on changes to hotdogs

Monday, April 5, 2010

Pediatricians in the United States want the federal Food and Drug Administration to require hazard labels on hotdogs. Of 141 choking deaths in 2006, 41 were food-related. Hot dogs wouldn't be the only food to get that label, normally required on toys with small parts. The American Academy of Pediatrics wants to add raw carrots, grapes, apples, hard candies, popcorn, peanuts and marshmallows. Doctors want parents to cut these foods into pieces too small to cause choking and believe that labels would be an extra step to prevent deaths.

Redesigning foods has been considered. Janet Riley, president of the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, says hot dogs would cost more precut, and she isn't sure that consumers would be happy with more crumbly wieners. "Consistency is part of the hot dog's appeal."

Riley says about half of hot dog packages sold are already labelled as a possible choking hazard. BP