Food for infants must be cut into small pieces no larger than what size?

The appropriate size for cutting food for infants is no larger than 1/2 inch. This guideline is essential for ensuring the safety of infants during mealtimes. Infants are still developing their ability to chew and swallow effectively, and larger pieces of food can pose a choking hazard. By cutting food into smaller pieces, caregivers can help reduce this risk while allowing infants to explore new textures and flavors safely.

The 1/2 inch size is generally considered manageable for infants who are beginning to eat solid foods, facilitating both their developmental stages and their safety during feeding. Smaller sizes, such as 1/4 inch, may be suitable for certain foods but could be excessive and unnecessary for some items, depending on the infant's developmental stage and eating ability.