Jelly sweets import ban

Monday 17 May 2004

Jelly sweets containing a thickening agent called konjac (E425) are banned in the UK and the rest of the EU. This is because there is a risk of choking. These sweets are widely available in Japan and the Far East.

Jelly mini-cup sweets which contain food additives and/or binding agents specified in 2004 Regulations below are now also banned because of concerns that these could also pose a choking hazard.

So you cannot import or sell:

• any jelly sweets containing konjac under Commission Decision 2002/247/EC, implemented in England by The Food (Jelly Confectionery) (Emergency Control) (England) Regulations 2002, or;
• jelly mini-cup sweets under Commission Decision 2004/374/EC, implemented in England by The Food (Jelly Confectionery) (Emergency Control) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2004.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have adopted similar regulations. Further information can be found on the list of products not of animal origin with current EU restrictions.