Hong Kong authorities issue warning over teething sticks choking hazard

Parents and caregivers have been urged by the Hong Kong authorities to stop giving infants three types of teething sticks from the United States as they may pose a choking hazard.

The Centre for Food Safety on Monday warned that three types of the Gerber Soothe ‘N’ Chew Teething Sticks – strawberry-apple and banana flavours in packages of 90 grams each, and banana flavour in 45 gram packs – could be dangerous to children.

Businesses should stop selling the products immediately, the centre said.

“The Centre for Food Safety noted notices issued by the Food and Drug Administration of the US and the Canadian authorities respectively that the above-mentioned products are under recall as they possess a choking hazard,” a centre spokesman said.

The importer has stopped selling products and removed them from shelves and initiated a voluntary recall.

A check by the Post found that the products were no longer being sold by online platform HKTVmall or health chain Mannings.