Food additives: conditions of use for E 425 konjac

PURPOSE : to withdraw the authorisation to use E 425 konjac in jelly mini-cups in order to protect human health. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Directive 2003/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 95/2/EC as regards the conditions of use for a food additive E 425 konjac. CONTENT : The use of the food additive E 425 konjac is authorised in foodstuffs in the European Community under certain conditions by Directive 95/2/EC. This Directive withdraws the authorisation to use E 425 konjac in jelly mini-cups in order to protect human health. In addition, the use of konjac in any other jelly confectionery is also be withdrawn, as it may present the same risk as jelly mini-cups. The reason behind this measure is that jelly mini-cups containing E 425 konjac have been found to be dangerous, having caused the death of several children and elderly persons in third countries through choking. On 27 March 2002, the Commission adopted Decision 2002/247/EC to suspend the placing on the market and import of jelly confectionery containing the food additive E 425 konjac. Also the use of E 425 konjac in jelly confectionery was suspended. In addition to the shape and size of this confectionery, the chemical and physical properties of the food additive konjac are such that it causes jelly mini-cups to constitute a life-threatening risk to humans. Some manufacturers of jelly mini-cups recognise the risk by affixing a warning on the food package, highlighting the risk for children and the elderly. In the present case, warning through labelling is not sufficient to protect human health, especially with regard to children. Therefore, this Directive modifies the conditions of use for E 425 konjac as regards its use in jelly confectionery. DATE OF TRANSPOSITION : 17/01/04. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 17/07/03.�