The Malaysian Health Ministry (MOH) has banned the sale of eyeball-shaped gummy sweets following the tragic death of a 10-year-old boy who choked on one of the candies last week. The ban comes amid concerns over labelling violations related to choking hazards.
In a statement released on Friday, 21 February, the MOH highlighted that while the Food Regulations 1985 generally do not govern the size and shape of food products, certain 'controlled jelly confectionery' with a diameter of 45mm or less must carry specific warnings. These include: "Warning: May Pose A Choking Hazard" and "Not Suitable For Children Under 3 Years Of Age."
Kenyataan Media Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia Insiden Kanak-Kanak Tercekik Gula-Gula ‘Gummy’ Berbentuk Mata
Posted by KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN MALAYSIA on Friday 21 February 2025
An investigation by the ministry revealed that the eyeball-shaped gummies did not comply with the labelling requirements set out under the Food Regulations 1985 of the Food Act 1983 (Act 281).
The MOH has prohibited the sale of the product both in physical stores and across all online platforms. The ministry also announced strict enforcement actions, including the seizure of the non-compliant products to ensure they are removed from the market.
Despite this, the banned gummies remain available online.
According to a report by the New Straits Times, the sweets were still being sold on various popular e-commerce platforms as of Saturday, 22 February, with prices as low as 89 sen per piece. The report also noted that other chewy candies are being sold on these platforms without apparent restrictions.
In response, the ministry has directed two online shopping platforms to take down 86 advertisements promoting the eyeball-shaped gummies.
Kementerian Kesihatan (KKM) menegaskan penjualan produk gula-gula kenyal atau gummy berbentuk mata dilarang di semua...
Posted by BERNAMA on Saturday 22 February 2025
The MOH has called on parents to remain vigilant when selecting snacks for their children, particularly those that could present a choking risk, "The risk increases when food is not properly chewed or swallowed whole," the ministry warned, emphasising that hard, chewy, small, and round foods are particularly hazardous for young children.
The ministry stressed the importance of ensuring that children only consume food under the supervision of a parent or guardian. It also reassured the public that it will continue to conduct food safety monitoring and enforcement to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder for all parents to keep an eye on what their children are eating and to prioritise safety above all else.
