Elderly man in serious condition after choking on Sufganiya (Israeli donut)

A 90-year-old man was rushed to the hospital today (Thursday) after choking on a traditional Hannukah jelly donut at his home in Ramat Gan, a suburb east of Tel Aviv. Emergency services report his condition is serious.

Sufganiyot, typically filled with jelly or custard and coated in powdered sugar, are a beloved holiday tradition but can pose significant choking risks, particularly for elderly people and young children.

In fact, as reported by the Times of Israel, in 2018, an elderly man died after choking on a Hanukkah donut. During Hanukkah of 2022, two people died after choking on sufganiyot: A 67-year-old man in Bnei Brak and a 70-year-old man in Netanya. In a related incident, a 61-year-old man from Ofakim was in critical condition on a ventilator at Soroka Medical Center after also choking on the holiday treat.

Emergency responders have been urging families to:

- Cut the donuts into smaller pieces for vulnerable individuals

- Eat slowly and carefully

- Avoid talking while eating

- Keep emergency numbers handy