Honda Bill Seeks to Prevent Choking Deaths

New Education Campaign Warns Parents of Dangers of Candy

U.S. Rep. Mike Honda (D-San José) has introduced the “Food Choking Prevention Act.” This is legislation that will create a federal education campaign to inform the public about food choking hazards to children.

Both Honda and his primary co-supporter on the bill, Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), championed the bill due to tragedies that hit close to home. In San José, a fourth-grade girl went into a come of more than two years after choking on a popular “gel candy.” In New York, two young girls died after choking on pieces of hard candy.

Many more children would be alive today if parents knew more about the choking hazard posed by certain candies and other foods marketed to children,” Congressman Honda said. “While we have a great system in place to warn parents of choking hazards posed by toys, parents still don’t have all the tools they need to prevent tragedies from choking on food.”

As a grandfather of four young grandchildren, I wholeheartedly support this legislation," Congressman Ed Towns said. "We warn adults about the hazards of choking on food in every restaurant; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration needs to take a more active role in protecting our children from easily preventable choking deaths and injuries. The Food Choking Prevention Act with its emphasis on public education is a step in the right direction."

The Food Choking Prevention Act aims to reduce the number of food choking-related deaths and injuries by requiring the following:

• The commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration will carry out a program to educate the public on food choking hazards to children. This educational campaign must include the preparation of materials to be distributed by pediatricians, hospitals, schools and day care centers;
  
  
• The FDA commissioner will designate a particular week each year when this educational campaign will be intensified and during which classes will be offered to the public on preventing food choking and performing life-saving procedures in the event of food choking;
  
  
• The National Academy of Sciences will undertake a study by leading experts in the medical, consumer protection, and business communities on food choking hazards to children;
  
  
• The FDA commissioner will report to Congress within six months of the enactment of this legislation on the accuracy and utility of current data collections for food choking-related deaths and injuries.
  
  

Candy conjures up images of innocent fun for young children, but few consider the possibility that just one piece could lead to the tragic death of a child,” Honda said. “This legislation will increase public awareness and federal expertise on the risks that many food products pose to young children and, hopefully, help prevent future tragedy.”