Rice-candy caused the death of seven people!

Seven people have choked to death and five others are in a serious condition after eating traditional glutinous “mochi” rice cakes to celebrate the New Year near Tokyo.

The victims, in their 70s, 80s and 90s, died of suffocation over the weekend after eating the New Year delicacy, fire department officials announced. “Please be aware that mochi, which is so sticky, may cause suffocation if you swallow mochi without chewing it well,” the fire department said. The company is advising people, especially the elderly and infants – several of whom die each year from choking on mochi – to cut it into small pieces before eating it.