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Are FPCIs a source of increased risk for children? Results of a multicenter, experimental study comparing children's
C Donati1, B Benelli, N Consonni
1Italian Institute of Toy Safety, Como, Italy.
Insights
Food Products Containing Inedibles (FPCIs) do not pose a higher choking risk than regular toys. Children aged 3-6 demonstrated safe interaction with FPCIs, distinguishing edible from inedible parts effectively.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric safety
- Consumer product safety
- Child development
Background:
- Food Products Containing Inedibles (FPCIs) are perceived as a significant choking hazard for young children.
- Existing regulations in the U.S. restrict FPCIs with small toys, while Europe permits them with specific labeling requirements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate children's behavior with FPCIs in a controlled laboratory setting.
- To assess mouthing activities, recognition of dual nature, and toy assembly skills related to FPCIs.
Main Methods:
- A controlled laboratory study involving 247 children aged 3-6.
- Children were randomly assigned to either a FPCI session or a Toy session.
- Observed for mouthing activity and interaction with FPCIs versus standalone toys.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in children's behavior between toys in FPCIs and standalone toys.
- Children exhibited a high ability to differentiate edible from inedible components of FPCIs.
- Mouthing of inedible parts was minimal and comparable to standalone toys, suggesting similar choking risk.
Conclusions:
- FPCIs are not inherently more dangerous than toys containing small parts.
- Current regulatory distinctions between FPCIs and standalone toys may not be scientifically justified.
- Findings support harmonizing regulations for FPCIs and standalone toys based on objective safety assessments.
Introduction:
Food Products Containing Inedibles (FPCIs) are believed to represent a source of higher choking risk in children. The aim of this study was to set up a controlled study, conducted on children aged 3-6 in a laboratory setting, in order to understand their behavior when interacting with FPCIs (with reference to mouthing activities, double nature recognition, and toy assembling ability).
Method:
The experimental phase was divided into two sessions: a FPCI session and a Toy session, to which 247 children were randomly assigned. During these sessions children were observed in order to catch their mouthing activity according to the two types of objects available to them (FPCIs and Toys).
Results:
This study shows that: (a) children's behavior with respect to toys contained in FPCIs and toys presented alone is not significantly different; (b) children's ability to distinguish between the edible and non-edible part of the FPCI was very high; and (c) mouthing episodes of the inedible parts were negligible and comparable between FPCIs and toys presented alone. This strongly suggests that, with respect to choking risk, FPCIs are not per se distinguishable from toys containing small parts.
Impact On Industry:
Restrictions on the sale of FPCIs with small toys exist in the U.S. market. In Europe, FPCIs are allowed to be on sale, under the condition that, in case, they will follow the general regulatory requirements of small toys packaged and sold alone. In this case, they must provide age warnings and labels. Our findings do not justify the different attention that toys in FPCIs are at times afforded by regulators when compared to "stand alone" toys.
