On 18 February 2025, 10-year-old Mohamad Fahmi Hafiz bought an eyeball-shaped gummy from a vendor outside his school in Penang.
It was just another ordinary school day, just another small treat that any child might pick up after class.
But minutes later, he was choking.
His teachers rushed to help, an ambulance was called, and his family prayed desperately for a miracle.
For nearly two weeks, he fought for his life in hospital.
But on 20 February 2025, Fahmi passed away.
A young boy, full of potential, was taken far too soon all because of a single piece of candy.
This is not just an isolated tragedy.
This is a wake-up call.
Children buy food from these vendors every day.
And yet, many of these snacks are unregulated, unsafe, and inappropriate for young children.
How many more children must suffer before we finally take action?
The Problem: No Rules for Vendors Outside Schools
Malaysia has food safety laws, like the Food Act 1983 and the Food Regulations 1985, which set hygiene standards and ban harmful ingredients.
These laws apply inside schools and at registered food businesses.
But what about the stalls right outside the school gates?
These vendors are not properly monitored.
They are free to sell cheap, sticky, oversized, or highly processed snacks to children, many of which pose serious choking hazards or contain excessive sugar, artificial colouring, and preservatives.
It is not enough to only regulate school canteens.
The moment children step out of school, they should not be exposed to dangerous, poorly regulated food choices.
Other Countries Take This Seriously, Why Aren’t We?
Other countries have recognised the dangers of unregulated food sales near schools and have taken real action.
Even in India, rules have been put in place to restrict the sale of unhealthy foods near school areas.
These measures are not just about nutrition.
They are about safety.
If these countries can take decisive steps to protect their children, why are we still allowing unsafe foods to be sold to ours?
What Needs to Change?
It is time to stop ignoring this issue or setting up task forces and take real action to protect children.
Malaysia must enforce stricter regulations on food sold outside school premises.
This includes:
- Monitoring and licensing all food vendors near schools to ensure they meet safety and hygiene standards.
- Setting clear rules on what foods can and cannot be sold to schoolchildren, based on safety and nutritional guidelines.
- Carrying out regular inspections to make sure vendors follow the rules, with penalties for those who do not.
We cannot rely on schools alone to keep our children safe.
The responsibility must extend beyond the school gates.
What Parents Can Do
While we wait for stricter regulations, parents must also take steps to protect their children.
We can start by educating our kids about food safety.
Teach them to recognise risky foods, especially large, sticky, or round sweets that could cause choking.
Where possible, pack safe snacks from home so they are less tempted to buy from outside vendors.
Most importantly, we must speak up.
Raise the issue with schools, other parents, and local councils.
Demand better regulation of street food vendors near schools.
One Child Lost Is Already Too Many
It is easy to dismiss tragedies like this as an accident.
But accidents like this can be prevented if we are willing to make changes.
Fahmi’s parents never imagined that buying a simple sweet could take their child’s life.
If we continue to ignore the dangers, this may happen again.
We owe it to Fahmi, and to all the children of Malaysia, to fix this before another innocent life is lost.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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