A tragic incident occurred in Odisha’s Kandhamal district on Tuesday when a four-year-old boy died after accidentally swallowing a toy hidden inside a packet of chips. The child, identified as Bigil Pradhan, was with his parents in their farmland when the accident took place.
Locals said the boy’s parents had bought him a packet of chips on the way to the fields. While his parents were busy working, Bigil opened the packet and found a miniature toy gun inside. He played with it for a short time before accidentally swallowing the toy, which got stuck in his throat and blocked his airway.
The father tried to remove the swallowing toy manually but failed. The child was rushed to a nearby health center about 30 km away in critical condition. Doctors declared him dead later that night. Dr. Jakesh Samantaray, the hospital in-charge, confirmed that the toy blocked the boy’s windpipe, causing his death.
The incident occurred around 4:30 pm in Musumahapada near Shikaramaha village under Brahmanigaon police limits. Police reached the site, and an investigation is underway, though the family has not yet filed a formal complaint. Authorities are working to determine how the miniature toy ended up in the chips packet.
SK Nayak, Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer of Ganjam, warned that small objects like toys pose serious risks to children and even adults if accidentally ingested. Private practitioner Dr. Subash Sahu called for stricter regulations, urging that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) monitor packaged snacks closely and ban hidden toys in them. He emphasized that companies must be held accountable if this practice continues.
This tragic case highlights the dangers of including small toys in packaged snacks, especially for young children. Authorities and parents are urged to remain vigilant to prevent further accidents caused by swallowing toys in food products.
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