Residents are being warned to watch out for the dangers of fake food this Christmas.
It is feared that pets or small children could be injured or even killed by choking on products which look or smell like food such as fruit, sweets and cakes which are often used as decorations on crackers and other products.
Because they appeal to children and pets and are small enough to swallow they can easily lead to choking or after swallowing travel to other parts of the body causing obstruction and other injuries.
Enfield Council advises that anything which looks or smells like food but isn’t should be kept out of the reach of children and preferably disposed of, it is in fact illegal to sell, manufacture or import such dangerous products
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety, Cllr Chris Bond, said: “Such products can be found in Christmas wreaths and other decorations.
“Our Trading Standards department is ever vigilant and determined to protect the public. If residents spot these products, I’d ask them to report them to Consumer Advice on 03454 040506 and be alert to the dangers and risk such products pose so you can keep safe this Christmas.”
Residents can find more information on child safety from the websites of the following organisations:
– Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
– Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT)
– Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)
Notes for Editors:
These products breach the Food Imitations (Safety) Regulations 1989.
It is illegal to market, import or manufacture products which look like foodstuffs but that are not in fact edible. Items for sale should not have the form, odour, colour or appearance which is likely to cause persons (particularly children) to mistake them for food and put them in their mouths or suck or swallow them, which may cause death or injury.
Any other safety information from RoSPA/ Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) or relevant website links
www.rospa.com
www.capt.org.uk
www.gov.uk
