Mouth-sized mini jelly cups containing Konjac are banned in Australia, because the naturally occurring substance prohibits the jelly from dissolving when ingested, posing a choking risk.
The product ban, which applies to mini jelly cups of a height or width of 45mm or less containing the ingredient, was imposed after deaths in Australia and overseas were linked to the products.
On 9 July, the ACCC informed NSW Fair Trading that a shipment of mini jelly cups containing Konjac had been imported by two suppliers in Wetherill Park and Wentworth Point.
The tip-off followed a consumer complaint to the ACCC about a retailer located in Banksmeadow that was alleged to have been selling the banned mini jelly products.
On 10 July two NSW Fair Trading inspectors conducted snap inspections at the three Western Sydney-based businesses and discovered 11,300 mini jelly cups containing Konjac.
As a result, each business was issued an embargo notice to stop the sale of the products, ordered to destroy their stock and submit a voluntary recall for products which may have been sold.
Only one packet of the banned mini jelly products was sold by the traders involved in the compliance operation, which was returned to the supplier and subsequently destroyed.
NSW Fair Trading was in attendance when the rest of the banned mini jelly products identified during inspections were destroyed to ensure they no longer posed a risk to consumers.
The importation and supply of banned mini jelly products carries fines of up to $50 million for corporations or $2.5 million for individuals, highlighting the risk posed to consumers.
Konjac is a binding food additive derived from the root of the konnyaku plant and goes by other names such as: konnyaku, conjac, glucomannan, taro flour/powder and yam flour/powder.
On its own, Konjac is not a banned substance and can be found in other products sold in Australia.
For more information on the ban on mini jelly cups containing Konjac, visit the ACCC website.
Quotes attributable to NSW Fair Trading Commissioner, Natasha Mann:
“It just takes one of these mini jelly cups to lead to an irreversible tragedy and this regulatory action is a testament to the proactive work of the NSW Fair trading compliance team.”
“The traders in this instance worked with our investigators but let the destruction of these goods be a message to businesses thinking about importing banned mini jelly products – we will take action.”
“Consumers concerned about mini jelly products they purchased are encouraged to read the packaging to ensure they don’t contain Konjac and if they are unsure then throw them out.”
