How a gummy candy claimed the life of a schoolboy?

SHAH ALAM - The first week of the school year is usually filled with excitement and fresh beginnings for students and families. However, for one family in Penang, this hopeful start turned into a devastating tragedy when their son passed away after choking on a gummy candy.

This heartbreaking incident raises concerns about the hidden dangers of certain snacks. Here’s what happened:

Mohammad Fahmi Hafiz Mohammad Fakhruddin, a cheerful 10-year-old Year Four student at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Dua, had just finished school on Feb 19 when he bought gummy candies from a stall outside the school premises. He then headed to his Quran and Fardhu Ain (Kafa) class at 2.30pm.

According to his aunt, Siti Farhani Muhammad Fikri, Fahmi began choking while chewing the candy and struggled to breathe. He managed to approach a teacher for help before collapsing. Despite the teacher’s efforts and the quick response of emergency medical personnel who administered Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Fahmi’s condition remained critical. The gummy candy had lodged in his throat, depriving him of oxygen for an extended period.

Doctors at the Penang Hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) worked tirelessly to save him. However, the prolonged lack of oxygen caused severe brain damage, and on Feb 20 at 11pm, Fahmi passed away, leaving his family, school and community in mourning.

Police confirmed that there was no foul play in his death.

The Hidden Danger of Gummy Candy

Gummy candies, often marketed as fun and harmless treats for children, can pose serious risks. Their soft, sticky texture and small size make them easy to swallow without proper chewing. If lodged in the throat, they can block airflow, making it difficult to dislodge without medical intervention.

Fahmi’s tragic death brings attention to the accessibility of potentially hazardous food items sold outside school premises. Despite regulations banning such items in school canteens, hawkers often operate near schools without proper oversight.

The Penang Health Department has seized batches of the "Gummy Original Basketball Soft Candy" from a business outlet near the school for investigation. State Health Committee Chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen has called for stricter enforcement of food safety regulations and urged parents to monitor their children’s snack choices more closely.

The Education Ministry has announced measures to raise awareness among students and parents about food safety. Schools are being encouraged to work with local authorities to curb unauthorised hawkers within a 40-metre radius of school fences.

This tragedy highlights the importance of vigilance when it comes to children’s food choices.

Experts recommended avoiding high-risk snacks like gummy candies and hard candies, particularly for young children without adult supervision.

Fahmi will be laid to rest in Permatang Binjai, his grandmother’s hometown.