A large piece of meat (or shrimp) can become stuck between the vocal cords and cause complete airway obstruction; or can become stuck in the esophagus and cause drooling and sometimes partial airway obstruction.
Smaller pieces of meat, chewed properly, are less dangerous. If meat is tender and mixed with gravy, it can be chewed and swallowed more easily.
The presence of older siblings in the household increases the risk for choking, possibly because toys and other objects with small parts are more likely to be present and caregiving activities, such as feeding, to be undertaken by older siblings.[Ref:44]