Borough trading standards chiefs are warning parents to keep their children away from lethal sweets linked to a number of deaths by choking around the world.
The mini cup fruit jelly sweets, which are variously labelled as ABC Mini Fruit Bites, New Choice Mini Fruit Gels and Rolin Mango Jelly Cups, all contain Konjac, which does not dissolve easily and can stick in the throat.
No deaths have been reported in the UK but Sutton Council's trading standards team has written to all confectioners and general stores in the borough, asking them to return the sweets to their suppliers.
A spokesman said: "The evidence shows these products present a risk to children and should be removed from the market immediately.
"However, the sweets are on sale in many small corner shops and it may not be easy to ensure they are removed from shelves straight away."
The Food Standards Agency, which blew the whistle on the problem, has written to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to request a blanket UK ban on the sweets, which are imported from Asia.
Parents are advised to return them to shops and get a refund, but more information is available from trading standards on 020 8770 5528.
December 27, 2001 09:00
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