The Finnish Food Authority, in a recently released press release, has said that jelly confectionery that might cause a risk of choking has been placed on the market in Finland, however, it may no longer be on sale. Under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, the substances E 400, E 401, E 402, E 403, E 404, E 406, E 407, E 407a, E 410, E 412, E 413, E 414, E 415, E 417, E 418, E 425 and E 440 may not be used in jelly mini-cups, defined as jelly confectionery of a firm consistence, contained in semi rigid mini-cups or mini-capsules, intended to be ingested in a single bite by exerting pressure on the mini-cups or mini-capsule to project the confectionery into the mouth. The confectionery concerned may, together with the size and shape of the product, cause a risk of choking.
The confectionery is originally from Taiwan and has been sold under a different name and in different packages. The confectionery sold in bags or plastic jars forms a cup-shaped individual pack. The product names are at least:
Girl Jelly Fruity Bites
Boy Jelly Fruity Bites
Fruitery Jelly Assorted Jar
Fruitery Jelly Assorted Bag
Pentagon Cup Jelly Snacks Bag
Pentagon Cup Taro (Bag)
Pentagon Cup Taro (Jar)
Assorted Jelly Snack
The products have been widely sold in Finland particularly in grocery stores selling Asian foods. The local authorities have ensured that the products concerned are no longer on sale at the points of sale that they know sell them.