PARENTS have been issued a warning over a popular chocolate treat at Easter.
Experts have said Cadbury Mini Eggs pose a choking hazard and a risk to chocolate fans.
The Child Accident Prevention Trust has warned the Easter treats are the perfect size to block a small child’s airway.
The trust said: “So many mini egg colours and flavours this year.
“They look like the perfect small treat for your little one.
“But their size means they can block a small child’s airway and choke them.
“Please stay safe and choose another treat #chokinghazard.”
In a statement on social media, the charity wrote: “It’s that time of year again when mini eggs are lining the supermarket shelves.
“But, did you know that, just like grapes, they are the perfect size to block a small child’s airway and choke them?
“And, their hard shell can make it difficult to dislodge with standard first aid techniques.”
It added: “With whole grapes we advise cutting them in half lengthways and ideally into quarters to create thin strips.
“But chopping up mini eggs isn’t as easy. So, what can you do?”
“1. Hide them from the children and eat them yourself good luck with that!
“2. Put the mini eggs into a sealable plastic bag and smash them into small pieces with a rolling pin. Or, crush them in a pestle and mortar, or
“3. Opt for a different treat.
“Larger, hollow eggs are much safer for little ones.”
The Sun Online has contacted Cadbury’s for comment.
The minimum age is written on all Mini Egg packets, but many miss the wording as they dig into the chocolate.
It’s not the first time a warning about mini eggs has been given.
There are a few signs to look out for to tell if your child is choking.
According to St John Ambulance, they may:
For a baby, the signs the may be choking are slightly different.
A choking baby may:
According to Australian paramedic and first aider Nikki Jurcutz – you should be careful about the size of egg you buy.
Nikki – the expert behind the Instagram page for parents Tiny Hearts Education – explained that eating mini Easter eggs could put your child at risk of choking.
This is because they are ‘hard and round – two massive risk factors for a choking hazard’, the first-aider cautioned.
“They’re also the perfect shape and size to block off a child’s airway,” Nikki added.
In other Easter news, parents were shocked to find out just how much sugar a Cadbury’s Creme Egg contains.
The little egg contains a whopping 26.5g of sugar, surpassing the NHS’s recommended daily sugar intake for kids.
