Doctors in America call for 'safer' hot dog to prevent child choking deaths

The Times(UK) ^ | 02/23/10 | Giles Whittell

[TigerLikesRooster]

February 23, 2010

Doctors in America call for 'safer' hot dog to prevent child choking deaths

US paediatricians say the hot dog is perfectly shaped to "wedge tightly into a child?s hypopharynx" Giles Whittell, Washington

That iconic symbol of all things American, the hot dog, needs a safety makeover, doctors said yesterday. The fast-food favourite was singled out in an academic journal for causing nearly one in five food-related choking deaths among young children.

Perfectly shaped to “wedge tightly into a child’s hypopharynx”, the frankfurter-style sausage at the heart of the hot dog is a prime culprit in the wave of more than 10,000 choking incidents caused by food that lead to hospital visits in the US each year.

How it might be made safer was left unclear by the journal of the American Academy of Paediatrics, but its call in a policy statement posted on its website was unequivocal: “Food manufacturers should design new foods, and redesign existing foods, including meat products, to avoid shapes, sizes, texture and other characteristics that increase choking risk to children.”

[TigerLikesRooster]

No problem. Slap the rating scheme on foods. Some food will be labeled PG-13, R, or even XXX.

These medical PC-nazis are pathetic.

[flying_bullet]

If the Feds get rid of hot dogs, where else will we get our minimum daily requirement of squirrel meat? /s

[edcoil]

Since the dog has not changed and feed billions, maybe the problem is we are raising more stupid people.

Have the doc’s got something to fix that or just tax/burden/regulate another thing.

[Puppage]

Doctors in America call for 'safer' hot dog to prevent child choking deaths

Phew! How did I EVER make it to 47 all by myself?

[Track9]

I think it’s rather the bun that’s dangerous. Oh I’m just kidding..

[al baby]

Im going to log off for awhile

[tatsinfla]

bingo....

[edcoil]

I forgot to read the source Times UK.

THESE ARE THE GLOBAL WARMING NUTS as well.

[Tublecane]

I don’t know if this has permeated the general public, but I’ve seen people known as “mothers” actually cut hot dogs into smaller pieces, thereby making them easier to swallow.

[reagan_fanatic]

Good frickin’ grief. This crap has to stop.

[AlexW]

Where is the famous FR pic of the guy slapping his head and saying “ Gezzz, not this shit again”.

I wish I had those pics and knew how to post them.

[Red Badger]

Just make the Hot Dogs into patties instead! Size of the hamburger bun! Then we could call them Dog Patties!...........

[choctaw man]

I can see it now: a hot dog Czar.

[Common Sense 101]

Solution: A government-mandated educational program on the proper use of the “chewing function” while eating.

[libertarian27]

Since the dog has not changed and feed billions, maybe the problem is we are raising more stupid people.

People are told they are stupid left and right; beaten down to believe it.....

"You are stupid and dangerous....and here's why......"

[bgill]

The food police’ heads would spin if someone made an oreo in the shape of a hotdog.

[Pilgrim's Progress]

They already have a safer hot dog, it is called bologna.

[Indy Pendance]

It's called bologna.

[RossB]

Global warming buns. You’re on to something. I see a tax credit coming.

Be Good
RossB

[Red Badger]

I know, but bologna doesn’t taste the same...........