Consumers should check their cupboards for banned mini-cup jellies containing konjac, ACCC Commissioner responsible for product safety, Ms Jennifer McNeill, has warned.
"The product has a long shelf life and a high safety risk.
"Late last year, the ACCC conducted a survey of shops to ensure that the product had been taken off the shelves, as required by a temporary product safety ban issued in August 2002.
"Unfortunately, product was found in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne. The Perth matter has led to a court action".
The ACCC warns all retailers and suppliers not to sell the banned jellies.
"We will be checking the market at regular intervals and will act swiftly against companies found supplying this dangerous product.
"In Australia and overseas, deaths and near-deaths have been reported after consumers, particularly children, choked on the product".
Konjac is a jelly-like substance which does not dissolve easily, unlike gelatin. The konjac jellies of greatest concern are those which come in individual cups and are commonly eaten by being tilted and sucked directly from their mini-cup packaging.
"There is a real risk that these jellies will slip to the back of the mouth and form a plug in the throat which can be extremely difficult to dislodge".
The ban applies to any jellies containing the ingredient konjac, also known as conjac, glucomannan, konnyaku, taro powder or yam flour, having a height or width of less than or equal to 45mm. The ban does not apply to similar confections which do not contain konjac.
"Consumers should check ingredient listings carefully on any product they have at home, or see offered for sale, and report any containing konjac to the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502".