Following a series of accidents in which children and elderly people have died after choking on jelly products containing konnyaku, industry associations whose members include manufacturers of the products has unveiled a warning label.
The label, which warns children and the elderly not to eat such products, will be placed on the packaging of these products on a voluntarily basis by three organizations that have konnyaku jelly manufacturers as members…..
….They also plan to print in a red-lined box on the package’s back advice on what to do if the jelly gets stuck in someone’s throat.
….According to the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, 14 cases of death by choking on konnyaku jelly have come to light since 1995. Eight of the victims were children aged 7 or younger, and five were 65 or older.
….The center said that, apart from advice relating to allergies and excessive consumption, placing a warning against eating a food product was quite unusual.

(Sep. 22, 2007)

Daily Yomiuri- Konnyaku jelly warning