Traditionally, Mochi cakes are made using Mochiko (a glutinous rice flour). This is made with sweet rice flour by stuffing the dessert with a sweet red bean paste. Over the years, there have been several versions of this traditional recipe such as Mochi Strawberry cakes, Mochi flavoured ice creams and what not!

The traditional Mochi cakes are chewy, sticky and big in size, which make it difficult to consume for kids and elderly. The huge cakes are to be chewed properly before swallowing, which can turn fatal as the sticky Mochi can stick to the throat and lead to suffocation followed by death, in some cases.

According to a report by Japanese media, every year around 90% of those rushed to hospital from choking after consuming their New year feast are people around the age group of 65 or older. This has also led to official warnings of consuming small sized or smaller portions of mochi cakes, especially for kids and elderly

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/famous-japanese-mochi-cakes-why-the-elderly-and-kids-should-carefully-consume-this-dessert/photostory/88170072.cms