Import Alert 33-15: Detention without physical examination of mini-cup gel and jelly candies of firm consistency that present risk of choking
As of October 26, 2026, FDA Import Alert 33-15 (Mini-cup gel and jelly candies of firm consistency) lists 12 firms on its red list in 4 countries, covering mini-cup gel and jelly candies of firm consistency that present risk of choking; 3 firms were added and 0 removed in the last 90 days.
Data from FDA public records, last checked . Request a correction
- 12
- firms on the red list
- 4
- countries
- 3
- added in the last 90 days
- 0
- removed in the last 90 days
What changed in the last 90 days
Removed from Import Alert 33-15
SupplierRadar has recorded no removals from Import Alert 33-15 in the last 90 days, as of October 26, 2026. A removal is shown at the top of this page, and on the firm's own page, the day it is found.
Added to Import Alert 33-15
| Firm | Country | List | Date published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triko Foods Co., Ltd Factory 3Tai Zhong Shi, Taiwan | Taiwan | Red | |
| Triko Foods Co., Ltd. Factory 1Taichung, Taiwan | Taiwan | Red | |
| Triko Foods Co., Ltd. Factory 2Taichung, Taiwan | Taiwan | Red |
Firms on Import Alert 33-15, by country
Listings by country
| Country | Red list | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | 6 | 6 |
| China | 3 | 3 |
| Costa Rica | 2 | 2 |
| Japan | 1 | 1 |
Taiwan (6)
FDA refusals from Taiwan| Firm | List | Products | Date published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Han Shuo Food Co.,LtdDacun Township | Red | Lychee Flavors Fruit Jelly (jars); Assorted Flavors Fruit Jelly (jars) | |
| Jellico Food Co, Ltd.Taichung City | Red | Coconut Mango Jelly; Passion Fruit Flavor Jelly; Assorted Flavors Coconut Jelly; Jin Jin Meloon flavored Jelly; Fruit Je | |
| Triko Foods Co., Ltd Factory 3Tai Zhong Shi | Red | Dr. Q Grape Konjac Fruit Jelly; Dr. Q Peach / White Grape Konjac Fruit Jelly | |
| Triko Foods Co., Ltd. Factory 1Taichung | Red | Dr. Q Grape Konjac Fruit Jelly; Dr. Q Peach / White Grape Konjac Fruit Jelly | |
| Triko Foods Co., Ltd. Factory 2Taichung | Red | Dr. Q Peach / White Grape Konjac Fruit Jelly; Dr. Q Grape Konjac Fruit Jelly | |
| Tsang Lin Industries Corp.Taichung | Red | COCONUT JELLY (Assorted Flavor) Jelly Fruit Bites; Fruity Bites Assorted Flavor; ABC New Lychee Jelly Fruit Bites in Rou |
China (3)
FDA refusals from China| Firm | List | Products | Date published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jiangsu Winnie Food Co., Ltd.Nantong | Red | Fruit Jelly assorted candy; star shaped; in various tubs/packaging containers. Including but not limited to; Unicorn; Ca | |
| jsl foodstuff co., ltd.Jieyang | Red | Fruit Jelly in Toucan Jelly Mouse Jar; Fruit Jelly in Tiger Jar; Fruit Jelly in Yellow Duck Jar; Fruit Jelly in Owl Jar; | |
| Labixiaoxin (Fujian) Foods Industrial Company LimitedQuanzhou | Red | Fruit Jelly assorted candy |
Costa Rica (2)
FDA refusals from Costa Rica| Firm | List | Products | Date published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alimentos Conica S.A.Paraiso | Red | Mini Jelly Snacks | |
| Corporacion del Valle Metropolitano S.A.Moravia | Red | Mini Fruit Jelly Bites; Fruit Mini Gelatina; Fruit Jelly Wallys Fruit Jelly; Wallys Mini Jelly Bites; Wallys Fruit Jelly |
Japan (1)
FDA refusals from Japan| Firm | List | Products | Date published |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACE BAKERY.Co., LtdKomaki | Red | Konjac Jelly; Grape Orange Apple; Konjac Jelly; Peach Apple Grape; Konjac Jelly; Ichigo Latte; Strawberry Latte; Konjac |
Refusal charges named on this alert
| Charge code | Meaning | Refusal lines since 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| UNFIT4FOOD | Unfit for food | 1,139 |
What the alert covers and why FDA issued it
- Official title
- Detention Without Physical Examination of Mini-cup Gel and Jelly Candies of Firm Consistency that Present Risk of Choking
- Product scope
- Mini-cup Gel and Jelly Candies of Firm Consistency that Present Risk of Choking Product Codes for reference: 33M-01, 33M02, 33M-03,33M04, 33M-05, 33M-06, 33M07, 35A01 (See product characteristics under GUIDANCE section)
- Last published
The revision to this import alert dated 05/22/2025 updates the name of the import alert, subtype to firm alert, reason for alert, guidance section, agency contacts, product description, and charge section. Changes are bracketed by asterisks ().
In 2001 FDA issued a warning about the danger of choking caused by konjac candy, following several choking deaths as well as near-deaths from choking among children and elderly people who consumed candies described as "mini-cup gel and jelly products," "mini fruity gels," and other similar names. These candies contain the ingredient konjac (also called conjac, konnyaku, yam flour, or glucomannan) and were typically packaged in cups as individual, mouth-sized servings, often featuring an embedded piece of preserved fruit. Although the contents look like gelatin products commonly found in the U.S., e.g. "jello," these small cup-like products maintain their characteristics (i.e., shape, texture, firmness) and do not melt when placed in the mouth.
Read the rest of the reason
An FDA Health Hazard Evaluation Board and physiologists with the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) assessed the products and concluded that the physical characteristics of the small cup-like candies (particularly, the packaging, shape, slipperiness, and consistency) pose a serious choking risk, particularly in young children.
A 2017 an Australian surveillance study found that banned mini jelly cups containing konjac continue to be imported, showing that there has been recent trade and commerce involving the products. (https://www.productsafety.gov.au/news/accc-s-surveillance-on-mini-jelly-cups-containing-konjac).
Between 2020-2025, multiple shipments of mini-cup jelly products that did not contain konjac but were considered a potential choking hazard based on the characteristics of the products, including their size and consistency, were offered for importation into the United States. These mini-cup jelly cups contained other gel-forming ingredients, such as carrageenan. FDA has determined that these products pose a similar choking risk as konjac candies.
In October 2020, there were two recalls involving such products. See Eishindo Mini Cup Jelly recall (https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hadson-toko-trading-co-inc-recalls-eishindo-mini-cup-jelly-50pcs-because-potential-choking-hazard) and Tropique Assorted Fruit Jelly Bag recall (https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/comercial-mexicana-international-inc-recalls-tropique-assorted-fruit-jelly-bag-309pcs1006oz-and).
Listing on an import alert is FDA's notice to the firm and a fact an importer must consider in its supplier evaluation under 21 CFR 1.505. What the red, green and yellow lists mean.
Questions about Import Alert 33-15
- What is Import Alert 33-15?
- Import Alert 33-15, “Detention without physical examination of mini-cup gel and jelly candies of firm consistency that present risk of choking”, is an FDA import alert. FDA may detain mini-cup gel and jelly candies of firm consistency that present risk of choking from the firms on its red list without physical examination; FDA last published the alert on August 4, 2026.
- Which firms are on Import Alert 33-15?
- As of October 26, 2026, 12 firms are listed on Import Alert 33-15 in 4 countries; the most listings are in Taiwan (6), China (3) and Costa Rica (2). The full table, grouped by country, is below on this page and every firm links to its record.
- How do firms get off Import Alert 33-15?
- A firm asks FDA to remove it by submitting evidence that the cause of the listing has been corrected. The Guidance section of the alert on FDA's website gives the procedure and the contact for 33-15; our guide explains the steps and the evidence FDA usually asks for.
- What charge does FDA use under Import Alert 33-15?
- The charge section of Import Alert 33-15 names UNFIT4FOOD (unfit for food). Each code is a refusal charge in FDA's reference table; the linked pages give FDA's official statement and refusal counts.
- Which firms were added to Import Alert 33-15 recently?
- As of October 26, 2026, 3 firms were added to Import Alert 33-15 in the last 90 days, including Triko Foods Co., Ltd Factory 3, Triko Foods Co., Ltd. Factory 1 and Triko Foods Co., Ltd. Factory 2. The list with dates is below.
- Which firms were removed from Import Alert 33-15 recently?
- SupplierRadar has recorded no removals from Import Alert 33-15 in the last 90 days, as of October 26, 2026. A removal is shown at the top of this page and on the firm's page the day it is found.
Built for the person who signs the FSVP file
Look before you order.
Check up to five suppliers against every FDA record in one paste, no account needed. Watch the ones you buy from and get the source the day a record changes.
SupplierRadar is not affiliated with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Data comes from public FDA records and may contain errors. This is not legal advice; importers remain responsible for their supplier evaluations.