At what age is popcorn considered inappropriate as a snack due to choking hazards?

Popcorn is considered inappropriate as a snack for children under 4 years old primarily due to the choking hazard it poses. The texture and shape of popcorn can obstruct a child's airway, particularly for younger children who may not have fully developed chewing skills and are still refining their ability to manage solid foods. Research and pediatric guidelines consistently indicate that children are at higher risk for choking on hard, small foods until they reach a certain level of motor and cognitive development.

By age 4, most children have better jaw strength, coordination, and experience with chewing a variety of foods, which helps them manage foods like popcorn more safely. Although some children may be able to handle popcorn prior to this age, it is generally advisable to wait until at least 4 years to offer popcorn or similar snacks to minimize the risk of choking incidents.