Wednesday, February 27, 2002

Jelly candies recalled due to choking hazard

Another U.S. distributing company has recalled a "jelly snack" candy product because it presents a choking hazard, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Commissioner Tommy Irvin said that the Rolin brand "Lychee Nata De Coco Jelly" distributed by and being recalled by Anhing Corporation is the type of the product the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found associated with the choking deaths of six children in the United States and other abroad.

"The jelly candies apparently do not dissolve readily in the mouth and are so sticky that they get lodged in the throat," said Irvin. "All of these candies contain the ingredient 'konjac,' also known as conjac, konnyaku, yam flour, or glucomannan."

These candies are packaged in small sealed plastic cups about the size of a single service coffee creamer and were distributed nationally in either 10.5-ounce bags in cases of 30 or in 53.5-ounce tubs with six tubs to a case.

"All of the brands packaged in these small cups should be returned or thrown away out of the reach of children," said Irvin. "Our inspectors will be looking for any that are still on the shelves in retail and wholesale outlets."

Recalls issued previously by distributing companies of these jelly candies include the brand and label names of Kimbo Lychee Flavor Jelly, Asian Taste-Konnyaku Fruit Jelly (Lychee Flavor), Jin Jin Tropical Mix Fruit Jelly, Shong Hsiang Jen Food Co. Mini Fruity Gels, and all Mini Fruit Jellys sold under the name of Joelee.

FDA issued general warnings against consuming mini-cup gel candies that contain the ingredient "konjac" in August and October and issued an Import Alert in October to prevent the candies from entering the country.