Popcorn, nuts, and hard candies could kill children under 5

Feeding children under five requires extra caution. Many parents unknowingly put their kids at risk by giving them nuts, hard candies, apples, and popcorn. While these snacks seem harmless, they pose serious risks such as choking, breathing problems, and life-threatening emergencies.

“He was eating quietly when he suddenly started coughing and gasping for air. I panicked,” says Mrs Olajide Eze, a mother of two. She recounts a frightening moment when her three-year-old son barely suffocated after eating cashew nuts. “Luckily, my husband acted fast, hitting his back and performing the Heimlich manoeuvre. If not, I don’t know what would have happened.”

Like Mrs Eze, many parents have shared terrifying experiences of their children choking on these snacks.
Another mother, Mrs Funmi Adeyemi, regrets giving her daughter popcorn at age four. “She was watching TV and eating when she suddenly grabbed her throat and started choking. I had to rush her to the hospital. Since then, I have banned popcorn in my house until she’s older.”

A choking hazard waiting to happen

Health experts warn that young children have small airways and undeveloped chewing skills, making them prone to choking. Popcorn, nuts, apples, and hard candies are among the top foods responsible for choking incidents in toddlers. Dr Ray Bayo, a Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Medical Center, Ebute Metta in Lagos, explains that these foods can easily get lodged in a child’s throat. “Children below five do not have strong molars to chew hard or small food items properly. If a piece of popcorn or nut slips into the airway instead of the food pipe, it can block breathing, leading to respiratory distress,” he explains.

“The airway, which is the breathing pipe, and the oesophagus, which is the tube through which food passes, are very close to each other. There is always a possibility that food meant for the oesophagus could go the wrong way and enter the trachea, especially when a child is talking while eating.”

Unlike adults, young children have immature chewing and swallowing coordination, increasing the likelihood of aspiration. If a popcorn fragment enters the trachea or bronchi, it can cause serious respiratory complications, including chronic cough, recurrent pneumonia, or airway inflammation. “In severe cases, a completely obstructed airway can cause asphyxiation and require emergency intervention,” states Donald Aniekwe, a medical officer at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).

What makes these foods dangerous?

Nuts are hard and small, requiring strong teeth to grind them properly. Children often swallow without chewing thoroughly, increasing the risk of aspiration—food entering the lungs instead of the stomach—potentially causing infections or lung collapse. Popcorn, on the other hand, is light and can be inhaled easily. The husks can also get stuck in a child’s airway, causing irritation, coughing, or choking.

READ ALSO: Popcorns, Drinks, Blockbusters

Apples, when chewed, break into small pieces that can occlude the airway. Hard candies do not dissolve quickly and can easily slip into the airway, making choking more likely. “Many parents believe popcorn is soft, but the problem is that the kernels do not dissolve quickly. If a child swallows a piece the wrong way, it could block the airway or trigger a serious coughing episode,” Dr Bayo warns. “Inhaled popcorn fragments can lead to foreign body aspiration, which might necessitate bronchoscopy for removal. If left undetected, retained food particles can cause lung infections (aspiration pneumonia) or chronic granulomatous reactions,” adds Aniekwe.

Staying safe

Nuts and popcorn may be everyday snacks, but they are not safe for children under five due to the high choking risk. “I have had experiences that were painful and difficult because we did not have the right equipment to rescue the children. Sadly, some of them did not survive,” Bayo shares. Parents must prioritise their children’s safety by opting for age-appropriate foods and staying informed about choking hazards. It only takes a few seconds for a child to choke, but prevention can save a life.

Safer popcorn alternatives for young children

Experts advise waiting until children are at least five before introducing nuts and popcorn. Parents should always supervise mealtimes. “Parents should not give children nuts or popcorn. These should not be bought for them or eaten in their presence because they will naturally want to reach for them. The consequences can range from choking to death,” Dr Ray Bayo warns. In the meantime, there are safer alternatives to consider.