Latest news with #chokinghazard
South China Morning Post
18-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong could ban mini konjac-jelly cups from April 2026 over choking risk
Hong Kong has proposed banning the sale of mini konjac-jelly cups from April next year over the products' choking-hazard risk, with anyone caught selling such goods to face a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a fine of up to HK$50,000 (US$6,370). The amendments will be tabled in the Legislative Council next Wednesday. If passed, it will see mini-cup jellies containing konjac with a height or width of 45mm (1.77 inches) or less banned starting April 1. All other konjac-jelly products would also be required to come with a warning sign. The proposed amendments to the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations were prompted by a coroner's suggestion last year that such products should be prohibited due to the risk of choking. The recommendation followed the death of a seven-year-old girl in 2021, who was determined to have died from choking on confectionery jelly at school. 'Non cup-shaped konjac jellies are usually consumed through a small opening in the packaging, while larger or non pre-packaged konjac jelly is typically eaten with a teaspoon, posing a relatively lower choking risk,' said Dr Cheung Yung-yan, a consultant with the Centre for Food Safety.
News.com.au
03-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Baby products urgently pulled off shelves due to fears of choking, strangulation, death
The ACCC has urgently recalled a number of children's products due to life-threatening safety fears. Baby bottle self feeding devices, which were sold by Ezonedeal online nationally between May 9, 2024 and April 10, 2025, have been urgently pulled from shelves as they pose a serious risk of choking and death. The products are available in cyan and pink, with the product codes Z3007 and Z3008. The bottle feeding device is designed to position or prop the bottle above the baby's head while they're on their back, allowing the liquid to flow into the baby's mouth without assistance from a caregiver. The ACCC said there was a 'risk of serious injury or death from choking, aspiration pneumonia, suffocation and ear infections'. 'There have been reports of infant fatalities associated with the use of baby bottle self-feeding devices,' the statement read. An infant using the bottle feeding device cannot stop the flow of the bottle or pull away from the incoming liquid. 'The milk may continue to flow before the baby can swallow it,' the recall read. 'This can lead to gagging or choking, even when supervised. Choking can be silent, meaning caregivers may not notice it is happening.' Infants can also suffer from ear infections while feeding on their back, as the milk and bacteria pools in the back of the mouth, which is connected to the ear. 'Ear infections can lead to long term damage and an increased risk of hearing or speech problems,' the recall read. Customers with the product have been told to stop using the product immediately and dispose of it safely so it cannot be used by anyone else. Customers can contact Ezonedeal for a full refund or store credit if it has been sold or gifted to another person The ACCC have also urgently recalled car seat head support straps, also available for purchase on Ezonedeal online nationally between October 18 2021 and November 1 2022. They are available in blue and red with the product codes Z1451 and Z1758. The car seat straps, which are intended to keep a child's head secure as they ride in the back seat of the vehicle, aims to stop the child from slumping forward if they fall asleep. However, the ACCC have pulled the items off the shelves due to fears of damaging a child's spinal cord by altering their head and spine, and cause further risk of strangulation and suffocation. 'Car seat head straps can increase the risk of spinal cord injury or death by altering head and neck alignment during a crash,' the recall read. 'They may also pose a suffocation or strangulation risk if they slip around the child's mouth or neck.' Injuries and incidents have already occurred, the ACCC said. There have been no reported deaths associated with the straps in Australia. However, an eight-month-old infant reportedly died in the UK due to suffocation connected to the use of a car seat head strap in August 2021. The infant was reportedly strangled by the strap, which slipped around the child's neck after the car rolled in an accident. Customers have been told to stop using the product immediately and dispose of it so others can't use it. Those with the product can contact Ezonedeal for a full refund or store credit.
The Sun
28-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Supermarket issues urgent warning to shoppers not to eat popular sandwich filling which could contain PLASTIC
ALDI has issued an urgent warning to shoppers not to eat a popular sandwich filling as it could contain plastic. Shoppers at the bargain supermarket have been told that the food item is "unsafe to eat". The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a notice this afternoon that BM Foods Ltd is recalling its Chicken Cooked Meat Trimmings. Officials say the product should not be eaten as it could contain pieces of plastic and a risk of choking. The FSA said that notices would be put up in Aldi stores where the items are sold telling customers to return them. In the notice, the agency said the product contains "possible presence of pieces of plastic in the products which presents a choking hazard and makes them unsafe to eat. It added: "Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. "These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products." They advise not to consume the product and to instead return it to your nearest Aldi store for a full refund. In response to the item being recalled, Aldi said: "As a precautionary measure, our supplier is recalling selected packs of Chicken Cooked Meat Trimmings because they may contain plastic. "Customers are asked to return this product to their nearest store, where a full refund will be given." The FSA issues Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about any problems associated with food. In some case a 'Food Alert for Action' can be issued which details a specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers. It's not the only product to be recalled by Aldi recently either. The retail giants were forced to pull their Cuisine Baby Potatoes with Herbs and Butter this week as it could endanger allergy sufferers. And a popular sweet treat has also been urgently recalled from supermarket shelves this month after a labelling error. Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Poundland kids' clothes urgently recalled over CHOKING risk as shoppers told ‘if you own it, return it fast'
POUNDLAND is urgently recalling a kids clothing item over a serious choking risk as shoppers are urged to "return it fast". Parents have been advised to stop using the product "immediately" and return it to the store for a refund. The item in question is the Bbe Frotte Blue Cap made by Pepco which is reported to have been made in China. It has been found to pose a serious choking risk to children as the button on the cap can detach. The Office for Product Safety & Standards warn that "a young child may put the small part in their mouth and choke". As a result, the product does not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. They have subsequently been recalled from end users by Poundland. The regulator has advised that consumers stop using the product immediately and return it to the store for a full refund with no receipt required. Poundland also issued a notice which said: "If you have bought the above product, do not use it. "Instead return it to a Poundland Store for a full refund (no proof of purchase required). "We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused. "However, the safety and confidence of our consumers and the quality of our products is at the heart of everything we do." This isn't the only children's product that has been recalled in the UK recently either. A popular bath toy has been urgently recalled over a serious hazard to young children. The My 1st Bath Toy Ducks contained a small rattling part inside the product when shaken posing a "serious" risk of choking. Elsewhere, the Buki France Sensory Slime was also recalled over a "serious chemical risk". The product contained excess concentrations of boron which can harm the health of children and their reproductive systems. Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item.
CTV News
14-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Dollarama-sold Oracare Baby Brush toothbrush recalled for choking hazard
Health Canada has recalled a baby toothbrush sold in Dollarama stores across the country due to a possible choking hazard. The federal health agency says the Oracare Baby Brush toothbrush has a manufacturing defect that can cause the toothbrush to break into two pieces. It says Dollarama has received one consumer complaint about the manufacturing defect but there have not been choking incidents reported to the company or Health Canada. Dollarama also says it will no longer import or sell the product. Health Canada advises consumers to stop using the toothbrush immediately and to seek immediate medical attention if injury from using the product occurs. The agency says it will continue to monitor the situation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 14, 2025. The Canadian Press
