NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jessica Chittenden
518-457-3136
For Immediate Release
Consumer Alert: Choking Hazard Posed by Mini-Cup Gel Candies Containing Konjac
New York - January 10, 2002 -- State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers today issued a consumer alert warning consumers of a choking hazard associated with various brands and flavors of imported mini-cup gel candies that contain the ingredient “Konjac.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has asked the Department to assist in the removal of these candies from store shelves. In December, FDA announced the recall of candies with the brand names “NATA” and “Mother’s Pride.” The candies also have names such as “Mini-Cup Jelly Products,” “New Choice Mini Fruity Gels,” “Konjac Coconut Jelly” and other similar names. FDA informed the Department that local authorities in other states have reported several children’s deaths from choking to be associated with this type of gel candy in the United States. These candies contain the ingredient Konjac (also called conjac, konnyaku, yam flour or glucomannan) and are typically packaged in cups as individual, mouth-sized servings, often featuring an embedded piece of preserved fruit. Although the contents look like a typical gelatin product, the small gel candies maintain their product characteristics (i.e. shape, texture, firmness) without melting when placed in the mouth.
The plastic gel cup is approximately the size of a single-service coffee creamer. The individual gel cups are packaged in 300 gram plastic bags or 3.3 pound plastic jars. They may also be offered for sale as individual cups. The gels are sold in various flavors, including mango, lyechee (lychee), taro and assorted fruit. The candy bears warning labels suggesting that it not be eaten by children under age 3 or age 5. These are imported products and many of the bags are printed in both English and Chinese.
New York Agriculture and Markets Food Safety Inspectors have been actively looking for these products in retail food and discount stores throughout the state, and they are seizing and removing them from shelves when found. Additionally, New York distributors of these products are being asked to voluntarily recall the products.
Consumers who may have this product are urged to return it to the point of purchase. If consumers have any questions about the recall or products that they may have, they can call the Department’s toll-free number at 1-800-554-4501.
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