Is it a choking hazard?

How this checker works

Choking risk comes down to a few physical traits. Foods that are small and round (grapes, cherry tomatoes, whole nuts) can plug a child's narrow airway. Foods that are hard (raw carrot, hard candy) can't be chewed down before they're swallowed. Foods that are sticky or compressible (marshmallows, globs of nut butter, chewy candy) can squash into and seal the airway. We rate each food on those traits and on the guidance published by pediatric authorities.

For every food, the checker shows three things:

• A risk level — High, Moderate, or Lower, colour-coded so it's readable at a glance.
• Why it's a risk — a plain-language reason based on the food's size, shape and texture.
• How to serve it safely — preparation that changes with age, because what's appropriate at 6 months differs from 2 years.

The age bands

Use the age tabs on each result to match your child:

• 6–9 months — new to solids; foods are usually cooked soft, mashed, or offered as large graspable pieces.
• 9–12 months — the pincer grasp develops; smaller, soft, bite-sized pieces become possible.
• 12–24 months — more teeth and chewing skill, but the highest-risk foods are still off the menu.
• 2–4 years — chewing is more reliable, yet round, hard and sticky foods remain a real risk until about age 4.

Where the guidance comes from

The risk levels and serving tips are compiled and cross-checked against public guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nemours KidsHealth, the UK National Health Service, and Solid Starts. Where item-specific advice is limited, we err on the cautious side using the general principle that small, round, hard or sticky foods carry higher risk. This is a starting point for safer mealtimes, not a replacement for your pediatrician's advice.

Common questions