American Expatriate Costa Rica

Authorities ask not to give fruits with large seeds to children

Last September, a toddler choked to death on a seed of mamón (Melicoccus bijugatus) and now, a nine-year-old girl is in critical conditions for the same reason. Therefore, the National Children’s Hospital (HNN) asked not to give fruits with this type of seed to children.

Carlos Jiménez, deputy director of the medical center, said it is not true that only small children can choke on these fruits.

Every child is at risk of choking with any fruit with a large seed. That’s why the hospital on more than one occasion has stressed the importance of not providing this kind of fruit to children. The risk is very high and it has a high mortality rate,”

said Jiménez.

It is best not to give this kind of food to children, but if done, it is best to remove the seed.

crhoy.com