Imported Candies Pulled From Stores

Aug. 16 -- Three grocery chains have pulled an imported jelly candy from store shelves after the product was linked to the deaths of two children in the San Francisco area.

Albertson's and Costco today decided to remove the popular jelly-like confections made in Taiwan by Sheng Hsiang Jen Foods Co. On Wednesday, Safeway ordered the candies removed from stores in Northern California, the only region in which the company sold the product under the Jelly Yum brand.

"We're taking action in response to publicized concerns, mainly in California," said Albertson's spokeswoman Jenny Enochson. Albertson's ordered the candies removed from all of its 1,700 stores in 31 states at least until the Food and Drug Administration issues a ruling on the safety of the product.

FDA spokeswoman Laura Bradbard said the agency had decided to investigate the candies, which have a controversial history in Japan, where similar products were dubbed "deadly mouthful."

Warnings From Health Officials

In the United States, the candies are sold under names like Gel-ly Drop, Fruit Poppers and Lychee Flavor Mini Gel Snack. The gel candies are individually packed in small, soft plastic dispensers that resemble coffee creamer containers. They're typically sold in plastic jars, often in a store's candy section, although Albertson's also displays the fruit-flavored sweets in its produce section, Enochson said.

Public health officials in Santa Clara County, Calif., this week warned about the candies, urging parents to cut the confection into small pieces before giving them to children. In recent days public health officials in Canada have also expressed concern about imported jelly candies made by Sheng Hsiang Jen Foods.

The company issued a press release saying the candies are safe and not responsible for the deaths last month of 3-year-old Deven Joncich, and 12-year-old Michelle Enrile after the sticky gel couldn't be dislodged from their throats.

Enrile's family sued the manufacturer last year after their daughter allegedly became brain-damaged from choking on one of its imported candies.