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Risks and injuries from the product
Konjac doesn’t dissolve easily when eaten. If a jelly lodges in a person's throat, it can act as a plug that cuts off air supply.
People have died from choking after sucking or eating the entire contents of mini jelly cups containing konjac.
Products the ban applies to
Mini jelly cup confectionery containing the ingredient konjac and in small cups sized 45 mm or less in height or width are permanently banned from supply in Australia. They are often sold in multi-packs.
Konjac is a binding food additive that comes from the root of the konnyaku plant. When eaten, it doesn’t dissolve easily. Konjac is also known as:
- glucomannan
- conjac
- konnyaku
- konjonac
- taro powder
- yam flour.
View the full details of this ban at Consumer Protection Notice No. 2 of 2004.
Products the ban does not apply to
Jelly cups without konjac are available for sale in Australia and aren’t dangerous.
Check the ingredients labels when buying mini sized jelly cups to make sure they don’t contain konjac.
Larger sized jelly cups with konjac are not banned as they need to be eaten with a spoon and this lowers the risk.
Penalties for supplying banned products
Supplying a banned product can result in the ACCC taking action. This may result in a:
- fine
- court enforceable undertaking
- disqualification from being a company director
- court action with penalties
- product recall.
Related recalls
We publish recalls for foods:
- with mini jelly cups containing konjac which is banned in Australia
- supplied in a format or with packaging that is hazardous but the food is otherwise safe to consume.
Other food recalls are published on the FSZANZ recalls site.
