Potential Choking Hazard: Will Mardi Gras 'King Cakes' Come Without Babies?

Statistics show that choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional death in children under the age of five. Younger children are also at the greatest risk of a more serious injury from choking and in more severe cases, even death.

Certain everyday household items may pose a particular threat to children, including things like latex balloons, coins, marbles, toys with small parts, pens, marker caps, batteries, and the list goes on. Certain small foods also make the cut, including cheese cubes, tiny candies, popcorn, grapes and more. In some cases, prizes inside of foods also pose a hazard to children and adults alike.

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) considers the King Cake in the same category as Kinder eggs regarding potential choking hazard via candy contraband and the $2,500 fine that comes with it. The pappered purple, green and yellow Louisiana-style pastry  is linked to the Ephiphany, with a miniature plastic baby (representing baby Jesus) tucked inside the dessert, representing good luck for whoever gets the slice with the object. 

Mardi Gras season officially begins on January 6. All cakes also come with a printed set of constructions, just in case people forget there was a baby inside.

For those with small children, it's important to educate yourself in the case of a choking incident. Always take the necessary precautions to prevent the problem and identify emergency resources and contacts in the likelihood of an issue. Certain life-saving techniques, including child cardiopulmonary resuscitation, abdominal thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver), automated External Defibrillators (AED) and/or calling 911 for more professional assistance can help provide a safe outcome for anyone affected. 

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