We are no strangers to mochi, that delicious and sweet snack from Japan made of glutinous rice that’s a favourite dessert among us.
Source: Pinterest
However, as cute as it appears to be, this delectable treat can be deadly and has claimed lives every year in Japan as people tend to choke to death on the sticky rice cake. OMG! Traditionally, the Japanese eat it as a New Year snack and this year, two people lost their lives while 13 others aged between 55 and 90 were send to the hospital because they choked on mochi, according to The Star.
Seven of them were in critical condition at the hospital as medical staff rushed to save them. The two men who died were in their 50s and 80s respectively and despite annual warnings each year, the yummy rice cake continues to claim lives.
Source: IBTimes
Most of the people who lost their lives to mochi are senior citizens as the soft and sticky cake takes a good amount of chewing before it can be swallowed. However, young children and the elderly are usually not able to chew it properly, which puts them at risk.
Even before the New Year celebrations commenced, the Tokyo Fire Department had cautioned the public to be careful when eating the sticky snack. If they are not able to chew it properly, it is recommended that the mochi be cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces because big pieces can get stuck in the throat and cause suffocation.
Source: Japankyo
In 2015, the number of deaths linked to the sweet dessert peaked at nine while in 2016, one died. In 2017, two people choked to death. Numerous others have landed in the hospital due to eating mochi.
In Malaysia, we have all kinds of mochi, such as those that are wrapped around some cooling ice cream or even just a sweet paste. These may differ slightly from the cute palm-sized buns in hot broth that the Japanese eat for New Year but we should still be cautious. Take small bites or cut it up, okay?
Be safe when you munch on your mochi!
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