1. Assessment of choking hazards of food products Dr H Schnerr Leatherhead Food International Ltd., Randalls Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7RY  +44 (0) 1372 822203  hschnerr@leatherheadfood.com  www.leatherheadfood.com CSU Forum Project 120384

2. Choking occurs when food or small objects get caught in the throat or block the airway, preventing oxygen from traveling to the lungs and the brain. After more than four minutes without oxygen, brain damage or even death may occur.

3. Objective of the project FOODNON-FOOD Coins Toys INEDIBLES IN FOOD PRODUCT PACKAGING FOOD IMITATIONS Erasers ‘FUNSTUFF’ Toys ‘PRODUCT RELATED’ Bottle cups Sachets

4. Any food has the potential for choking if not properly served and its consumption is not sufficiently supervised.

5. NEISS database 2001 17,537 cases every year in the U.S. 160 deaths ≤ 14 years

6. NEISS database 2001 60 % food related cases just 9 % related toys

7. Victims of suffocation age ≤14 1767 cases on food, U.K., 2001 Source: HASS & LASS by RoSPA; www.hassandlass.org.uk

8. Potential Causes of chocking in Children

9. European Standard on the Safety of Toys Source: European Standard BSEN 71-1: 1998 (Safety of toys)

10. Deaths in U.K. Source: Mortality statistics: injury and poisoning; National Statistics website www.statistics.gov.uk

11. Product Examples of High Choking Risk 13 0466 /05 Slovak Republic Plastic eraser of various fruit shapes in pastel colours Country of origin: China Risk of suffocation. The product can be mistaken for sweets. Due to the shape, colour and appearance of the erasers, there is a risk that small children can mistake them for foodstuffs. After being placed in the mouth, the product can be swallowed or breathed in and thus put health at risk. Sale banned by the authority that ordered the retailers to inform consumers about the possibility of returning the goods. 2 0510 /05 CyprusStationery erasers “Bensia” ice cream shaped with fruit flavours and pictures. (type/model: 0202048132). Country of origin: Taiwan. Risk of suffocation. Because of the appearance and the flavour a child can swallow the erasers. The erasers do not comply with the Dangerous Imitation Directive. Voluntary withdrawal from distribution Source: Consumer affairs; www.europa.eu.int

12. Outlook Informal flyer to sensitise our customers for this topic Detailed report on the literature review Labelling strategies Implementation of a test system …