Deadly fruity gels - Kids hospitalised after choking, local authorities warn consumers




Although Mini Fruity Gels, a popular fruit-based sweet, have been banned in the island for the past two years, THE weekend STAR has learnt that the products are still very much on the market and have caused injuries to at least two children.

The gels consist of a sweetened jelly-like exterior with a hard chunk of fruit in the centre. They were banned in Europe and the United States by the European Union and the Food and Drug Administration, respectively, after it was discovered that they were potentially hazardous. The gel is made of konjac, a binding agent made from the konnyaku root.

Research has shown that candies with this ingredient can lead to fatal or near-fatal asphyxiation. The sweets also pose a choking hazard, especially to young children and elderly persons and the shape can easily lead to obstruction of the airway.

At least two Jamaican parents have had first-hand experience with the damage the sweets can do and there are several cases of children in the United States choking and suffering from cardio-pulmonary arrest after having the gel.

Daughter choking

Karen Bogle admitted that she had no idea the candy was so dangerous and was surprised to see her three-year-old daughter choking after she gave her one in early December.

"Di ting stuck at har throat. Mi jus see her eye start roll over. I knocked her back and it fly out and then after that she started vomiting *lo**. Mi haffi fly and bring her to the doctor and him give her some antibiotics. Dat ting deh nuh fi tek without parental guidance. I didn't know it was so dangerous."

She too has noticed that despite a ban, the products are still very popular. "I see them everywhere," she said. "they even sell them by the jar in the wholesale."

Bogle also told THE STAR about the experience of her friend, who was forced to take her son to the hospital after he began choking on a piece of the sweet. In this case, the child was hospitalised and doctors removed the sweet, which was blocking his airway.

Chief executive officer at the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), Dolfie Allen, told THE STAR that there was a recall of the sweets about two years ago. She said at that time, several press releases were sent out about the matter.

She admitted, however, that there has not been much in terms of follow-up. "I have gone to places and seen them for sale and I've asked them to remove them. We need to do a new campaign."

She said she has not heard about any of the local incidents but is familiar with the stories from overseas. She also revealed that a new education campaign would begin in January as consumers need to be "reminded".

She added that consumers needed to be more careful and vigilant as it is hard for the CAC to physically monitor every shelf. "As soon as you get them off the shelves and you turn your back, they're up again. We don't really have the resources to police every store."

A representative from the Bureau of Standards told THE WEEKEND STAR that she was also aware of the ban that was implemented years ago, but said they had not received any further communication from the CAC. "Some research will have to be done," she said. "that was two years ago, so we have to check the market now."