Swings + Roundabouts Autumn 2021

“HEY MUM, DAD  PEEL US A GRAPE! IT’S IN THE GUIDELINE!!” Ministry of Health Guidelines on avoiding choking state the centres should not supply nuts, large seeds (eg, pumpkin and sunflower seeds), hard dried fruit, pieces of raw carrot, celery or apple, foods that break into hard sharp pieces (eg, crisps, corn chips, rice crackers), unpopped popcorn husks, grapes, berries and cherry tomatoes, raisins and sultanas, fruit with stones and large seeds or pips (eg, watermelon, small stone fruits), peas, lollies/sweets. But... Its OK if parents do! FOOD SAFETY CHANGES INTRODUCED BY MINISTRY OF EDUCATION The Ministry of Education have sought to introduce a new Licensing Criteria making it a requirement that centres that prepare and serve food to children follow the Ministry of Health Guidelines as rules rather than just guidelines, to avoid choking hazards. The guidelines have been around for a few years. And previously the Ministry of Education referred to them in their own on-line guidance to centres. A recent case of a child choking on a piece of apple in a childcare centre leading to permanent brain damage has led the Ministry to impose rules on centres, effective 25th January 2021. Communication from the Ministry on the issue has, unfortunately, not been clear and has led to centres believing that the rules apply to all centres, including those where parents supply their child’s food in lunchboxes. Both centres and parents balked at the idea of centres becoming the food police, removing food on the choking list in the Ministry of Health Guidelines. Practical issues like what happens if food is removed, would children go hungry, the added cost to centres to administer the new rules, etc, created a media firestorm and led the Ministry to release further communication to clarify their expectations. Centres that prepare and serve food to children are required to apply the Ministry of Health Guidelines as rules. Centres that do not provide food but rely on parents to supply lunchboxes of food for their children do not have to abide by the same rules but can choose to do so. Both groups of centres are asked by the Ministry to share information with parents in an effort to raise awareness of how to avoid the risk of choking. Issues remain with this approach, including: ● The situation of having such differences between centres adding to confusion among parents and centre staff ● The fact that there is already requirements in place under Health and Safety legislation and rules covering this issue ● Nutrition experts advising that the list of foods is not necessarily a complete indication of foods that could cause choking ● Ignoring the ability of individual children to handle and develop their eating and food management skills The ECC believes a different approach is needed, one where there is more support for centres and for parents. Where the Ministry of Health Guidelines remain just that – guidelines. Where centres retain the discretion to work with children at different developmental levels. But where a centre is expected to demonstrate how it will minimise the risk of children choking and how it will respond should such an incident occur (with staff specifically first aid trained in responding to young children choking). This should be complemented with publicity material from either or both of the Ministries of Education and Health for centres and for parents on avoiding the risk of children choking and safe food practices. The ECC has proposed this approach to Ministry officials and has recently written to Minister Hipkins asking him to intervene with officials and bring some common sense to the situation. The Ministry of Health Guidelines can be found at: https://www.health.govt.nz/ system/files/documents/publications/ reducing-food-related-choking-babies- young-children-early-learning-services- dec20.pdf March 2021 { 12 }