Food Choking Prevention Act of 2003 - Bill #HR 2773

To whom it may concern:

Please join in my efforts to warn parents of the Hot Dog Choking Danger and help prevent the death of a small child.

CHOKING is the 4th leading cause of accidental DEATH in children under the age of five. Studies indicate that HOT DOGS are the #1 food KILLER. At least one child dies from choking on food every 5 days in the USA and more than 10,000 children are taken to hospital emergency rooms each year for food-choking injuries.

A choking warning label must be placed on hot dog packages to alert parents of this danger. A small child has baby teeth and an ill-equipped esophagus which can not adequately chew and swallow this meat as normally served to them - - in a bun. Also, parents tend to slice the hot dogs in quarters which is also deadly. A hot dog when served to a young child must: have the skin removed, cut lengthwise into quarters (4 long strips) and then again cut into small pieces.

A minority of the hot dog industry has elected to voluntarily disclose this choking danger and place warning labels on their hot dog product - - Louis Rich Franks, Oscar Mayer Franks, Ballpark Singles, Lunchables All Star Hot Dogs. However, the majority has elected to remain silent - - Applegate Farms; Armour Stars, Coleman, Dietz and Watson, Esskay, Giant Brand, Gwaltney, Han's All Natural, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hillshire Farm, Lightlife Smart Dogs, Nathan's, Redskins, Safeway Select, Soyboy, Yorkshire Kids and Yves Veggie Dogs.

The Bill #HR 2773 - Food Choking Prevention Act of 2003 has been introduced to Congress by House Representatives Michael Honda (D-CA) and Michael Ferguson (R-NJ). It is currently in purgatory and has been referred to a subcommittee. The chairman of that committee is Congressman Michael Bilirakis (R-FL). One of the benefits of Bill #HR 2773 will be the reflection of warning labels on statistically dangerous foods to our children such as hot dogs. Please write to your State elected officials (locate address through www.firstgov.gov) and request that he/she co-sponsor and stand in support of this bill. For additional information, you can refer to http://cspinet.org/new/200307171.html,
http://cspinet.org/new/pdf/choking_recommendations.pdf.

Parents need to be made aware of this hot dog choking danger and the manufacturers should take the first step and place warning labels on their food. Another step would be to get this message out to as many parents as possible. No one should have to endure the pain and suffering of losing a young child to such a senseless preventable event.

Thank you.

Very truly yours,

Joannie Hugues

jhugues@lehmaneilen.com

In loving memory of
J.T.