Investigators from Fair Trading conducted a raid on a Sydney warehouse and found thousands of food products that are illegal in Australia and may be fatal.
Among the seized goods were more than 11,300 tiny jelly cups, which had been forbidden for import or sale for more than 20 years.
Following the death of a three-year-old kid in Sydney and numerous more deaths abroad, they were outlawed.
Choking hazards are caused by the binding agent, konjac, that is present in the cups.
According to David Byrne of Customer Service NSW, “the binding agent that binds the jelly together doesn’t dissolve when put in someone’s mouth therefore they act like a plug and block the airway.”
“It translates to a whole lot of risk of death, to as many people who were at Leichhardt Oval last night watching the footy.”
In Australia, it is forbidden to use konjac in any items that are less than 4.5 cm in length or width.
When a client noticed the little jelly cups on a Banksmeadow store’s shelf, the raids at three locations—Banksmeadow, Wetherill Park, and Wentworth Point—were started.
Three stores received a sizable import that was dispersed, according to the police.
Every item that was confiscated has been destroyed.
If stores are found to be selling the forbidden jellies, they might be fined up to $50 million.
