Reducing the Risk 

of Choking in 

Young Children 

at Mealtimes

Children under the age of 4 are at a high risk 

of choking while eating. Young children are 

still learning how to chew food properly, and 

they often swallow the food whole. Their small 

airways can become easily blocked. 

You can help reduce children’s risk of choking 

when eating by preparing food in certain ways, 

such as cutting food into small pieces and 

cooking hard food, like carrots, until it is soft 

enough to pierce with a fork. Remember, always 

supervise children during meals and snacks.

Food and Nutrition Service

 FNS-877 September 2020 

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United States Department of Agriculture
Prepare Foods So They Are

Easy to Chew

Avoid Choking Hazards

You can make eating safer for young children 

by following the tips below: 

■ Cook or steam hard food, like carrots, 

until it is soft enough to pierce with

a fork.

■ Remove seeds, pits, and tough

skins/peels from fruits and vegetables. 

■ Finely chop foods into thin slices, 

strips, or small pieces (no larger 

than 1⁄2 inch), or grate, mash, or 

puree foods. This is especially 

important when serving raw fruits and 

vegetables, as those items may be 

harder to chew. 

■ Remove all bones from fish, chicken, 

and meat before cooking or serving.

■ Grind up tough meats and poultry.

■ Cheese cubes or blocks. Grate or thinly 

slice cheese before serving.

■ Chewing gum*

■ Dried fruit

■ Gummy fruit snacks*

■ Hard candy, including caramels,

cough drops, jelly beans, lollipops, etc.*

■ Hard pretzels and pretzel chips

■ Ice cubes*

■ Marshmallows*

To help prevent choking, do not serve small (marble-sized), sticky, or hard foods that are difficult to 

chew and easy to swallow whole, including:

Then slice into 

smaller pieces (no 

larger than 1⁄2 inch) 

when serving them 

to young children.

Small round foods such 

as grapes, cherries, 

cherry tomatoes, and 

melon balls are common 

causes of choking. 

Slice these items in 

half lengthwise.

1⁄2-inch pieces

*Not creditable in the Child Nutrition Programs, including the Child and Adult Care Food Program 

(CACFP), National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, and Summer Food 

Service Program.

Cut Round Foods Into 

Smaller Pieces

■ Nuts and seeds, including breads, 

crackers, and cereals that contain nuts 

and seeds

■ Popcorn

■ Spoonfuls of peanut butter or other nut 

butters. Spread nut butters thinly on 

other foods (e.g., toast, crackers, 

etc.). Serve only creamy, not chunky,

nut butters.

■ Whole round or tube-shaped foods such 

as grapes, cherry tomatoes, cherries, 

raw carrots, sausages, and hot dogs
Teach Good Eating Habits

Sit and eat with children at meals and snacks. Remind children to take small bites of food 

and swallow between bites. Eating together may help you quickly spot a child who might be 

choking. Other tips to help prevent choking while eating include:

■ Only providing foods as part of meals and snacks served at a dining table or high chair. 

When serving infants, do not prop the bottle up on a pillow or other item for the baby to 

feed him or herself.

■ Allowing plenty of time for meals and snacks. 

■ Making sure children are sitting upright while eating. 

■ Reminding children to swallow their food before talking or laughing. 

■ Modeling safe behavior for children to follow, including eating slowly, taking small bites, and 

chewing food completely before swallowing.

■ Encouraging older children to serve as role models for younger children as well. All children 

should avoid playing games with food, as that may lead to an increased risk of choking.

For more information, see FNS.USDA.gov.

Cut tube-shaped 

foods, such as baby 

carrots, string cheese, 

hot dogs, etc., into 

short strips rather than 

round pieces.

In addition to the 

foods listed, avoid 

serving foods that are 

as wide around as a 

nickel, which is about 

the size of a young 

child’s throat.

Cut Tube-shaped Foods Into Smaller Pieces 
Try It Out!

How can you prepare and serve the following foods to reduce 

the risk of choking? 

Answer Key

Whole baby carrots

Whole grapes

Peanut butter

Block of cheddar cheese 

1

2

3

4

Cut carrots lengthwise into thin strips (not circles). You could also 1.

cook carrots until soft, or cut into small pieces no larger than 1⁄2 inch. 

Cut grapes in half lengthwise, then cut into smaller pieces no larger 2.

than 1⁄2 inch. 

Spread peanut butter thinly on small pieces of toast, crackers, etc. 3.

Do not serve spoonfuls of peanut butter.

Grate or thinly slice the cheese. Do not serve cheese cubes. 4.