Brussels, 13/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - Following the favourable opinion of the EU Standing Committee for the Food Chain and Animal Health, the European Commission decided on Tuesday to suspend the marketing in the EU of jelly mini-cups containing certain food additives derived from seaweed and/or certain gums. Manufacturers and importers will have to recall all jelly mini-cups (often containing a small piece of preserved fruit including apple, mango, lychee and assorted fruit) considered a choking risk because of their consistency, shape and form. Some Member States including France and Germany have taken steps at national level to temporarily suspend sales of these products. Back in March 2002 the Commission decided to suspend marketing in the EU of jelly sweets containing "konjac" (food additive E425) also known as glucomananne (see EUROPE 21 March 2002).
"Safety labelling on these products is not enough to protect children's health", said David Byrne, explaining that the EU had decided to remove these products from the shelves "whilst together with the European Food Safety Authority, we evaluate whether or not we might need to amend the legislation authorising the use of additives in jelly mini-cups".