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 and 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 take proactive steps to ensure their children’s safety when it comes to food.
This begins with educating children about food safety, helping them recognise potential choking hazards, particularly large, sticky, or round sweets that could obstruct their airway.
One of the simplest ways to minimise risk is by packing safe snacks from home which reduces their reliance on food from outside vendors.
However, individual efforts alone are not enough, parents must also advocate for change.
Raising concerns with schools, other parents, and local councils can help push for better regulation of food vendors near schools.
This is to ensure that only safe and appropriate snacks are sold to children.
To further reduce choking risks, parents are encouraged to take simple precautions.
Simple steps such as cutting round-shaped and high-risk foods into smaller pieces is key.
Additionally, ensure that children eat in an upright position to reduce the risk of choking.
For younger children under 5 years old, certain foods, including whole nuts, uncut round fruits, sticky candies, and popcorn, should be avoided altogether.
This is due to their higher choking risk.
Most importantly, parents should equip themselves with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively in an emergency.
Learning the Heimlich Manoeuvre and knowing how to act quickly in a choking situation can be lifesaving.
How to Perform the Heimlich Manoeuvre
If a child is choking and unable to breathe, call 999 immediately.
Seeking professional medical assistance is the first priority.
While waiting for help to arrive, begin performing the Heimlich Manoeuvre to dislodge the object.
For Babies Under 1 Year Old
- Hold the baby face-down on your forearm, supporting their head by holding their jaw.
- Rest your forearm on your thigh to keep the baby stable. Ensure their head is lower than their chest so gravity can assist in dislodging the object.
- Using the heel of your hand, deliver five firm back blows between the baby’s shoulder blades.
- Check if the object has been expelled. If the baby starts coughing or crying, air is moving, and they may clear the blockage on their own. If they are still choking, proceed to chest thrusts.
For Children Over 1 Year Old
- Position yourself behind the child. If they are small, kneel to be at their height and provide necessary support.
- Make a fist with one hand and place it just above the belly button but below the ribcage. Wrap your other hand around your fist for support.
- Deliver sharp inward and upward thrusts with controlled force, as if lifting the child slightly off the ground.
- Repeat up to five times, checking after each thrust to see if the object is expelled.
If the child remains unable to breathe, continue performing the Heimlich Manoeuvre until help arrives.
Knowing these techniques and acting quickly can save a child’s life.
Ensuring food safety at home, educating children, and advocating for stricter regulations in school environments are all critical steps in preventing tragic choking incidents.
By staying informed and prepared, parents can take important actions to keep their children safe.
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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