Mysuru: A five-year-old boy died after accidentally swallowing a small plastic toy that had been packed inside a ready-to-eat snack packet in Gauripura village of Bilkere hobli in Hunsur taluk, highlighting the dangers posed by promotional toys included in packaged snacks.

Many shops and bakeries sell snack packets containing small plastic toys such as dolls, balls and other novelty items to attract children.

While these gifts are intended to encourage repeat purchases, they can pose a serious choking hazard.

Similar incidents involving children accidentally swallowing such toys have been reported in different parts of the State in recent years.

According to residents, the incident occurred on Saturday evening when the boy, the only child of a couple from the village, asked his parents to buy him a snack from a nearby shop.

After returning home, he opened the packet and began eating. During the process, he accidentally swallowed a small plastic ball that had been included as a gift inside the packet.

The toy became lodged in his throat, blocking his airway. The child collapsed, prompting his parents to rush him to a nearby hospital. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Residents said, the bereaved parents did not file a Police complaint, reportedly fearing that it would lead to a mandatory post-mortem examination.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the practice of including small toys inside food packets meant for children.

Parents are advised to carefully inspect snack packets before handing them to young children, remove any promotional toys or gift items and check the expiry date of packaged foods. Children often eat quickly and may unknowingly swallow small objects, which can result in fatal choking incidents.