Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The Malaysian government has ordered the recall of Gummy Original Basketball Soft Candy, an eyeball-shaped jelly candy, after it was suspected of causing the death of a 10-year-old boy.
According to CNA on Monday (February 24, 2025), the candy was pulled from the market following the child’s death in the intensive care unit of Penang Hospital on February 20.
The candy, which is roughly the size of a ping-pong ball, is coated with coloring to resemble an eyeball and is wrapped in transparent plastic. The boy, a resident of Penang, reportedly choked on the jelly candy before passed away at the hospital.
In response to the incident, the Penang Health Department seized the product from stores in the Jalan Sungai Dua area. Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has also ordered the removal of the candy from all retail stores nationwide and directed online platforms to take down advertisements for the product.
Child Chokes on Eyeball Jelly Candy
The boy, identified as “F,” was placed in intensive care after allegedly choking on the candy on Tuesday (February 18, 2025), according to Kompas.
The fourth-grade student at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Dua, Butterworth, had reportedly purchased the jelly candy from a street vendor near his school before attending a class.
While walking to the restroom, F collapsed and lost consciousness. His teacher attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but the boy did not respond.
After an ambulance was called, paramedics instructed the teacher to check the child’s mouth, where they discovered the jelly candy lodged in his throat.
Despite efforts to save him, F remained in critical condition and passed away in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Penang Hospital on Thursday (February 20, 2025).
Investigation and Government Response
Following the incident, the Malaysian Ministry of Health launched an investigation and found that the eyeball-shaped jelly candy violated labeling regulations under the Food Regulations 1985 of the Food Act 1983.
Under Malaysian law, jelly candies with a diameter of 45mm or smaller must include a choking hazard warning on the label, particularly for children under three years old.
As the product failed to meet legal requirements, the ministry banned its sale across all online platforms and in domestic markets.
“We have also instructed district health officers nationwide to conduct on-site inspections and seize any remaining stock of the candy,” said Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.
According to DetikHealth, The Ministry of Education has also directed schools to report any vendors selling food and beverages outside school premises. The direction was followed Preliminary investigations which revealed that F had purchased the candy from a vendor outside the school.
A circular issued to state education department directors reaffirmed that the sale of food and beverages outside school premises is restricted under guidelines introduced in 2021. Vendors are prohibited from selling food and drinks within 40 meters of school gates, with local authorities responsible for enforcing the rule.
The Dangers of Jelly Candy
Jelly candies, often referred to as gummies, are soft, slightly chewy, and sticky. Despite their appeal, they can pose serious choking hazards for children.
Neonatology specialist Dr. Masri Muhamed warned that jelly candies could easily block airways, particularly in young children whose jaw muscles and respiratory passages are still developing.
“Because children are active, they often eat, talk, laugh, or run while chewing on candy. If inhaled accidentally, the candy can enter the airway instead of the digestive tract,” Muhamed state, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
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He noted that the soft and sticky texture of jelly candies makes them more difficult to remove than hard candies once lodged in the throat. The condition could blocked the airway completely, making oxygen cannot reach the lungs and brain, potentially causing brain damage within minutes.
“Prolonged oxygen deprivation can lead to cardiac arrest and, in severe cases, death. Even if a child survives, complications such as aspiration pneumonia, airway injuries, or long-term neurological damage can occur.”
A Lesson for Parents
Malaysian Pediatric Association President Mohamad Ikram Ilias emphasized that parents should learn from this tragic incident and be more cautious about their children’s food choices, particularly when it comes to snacks.
“Chewy candies, such as jelly-based sweets, can be a choking hazard, especially for young children. Parents and guardians are urged to monitor their children’s diet and ensure the food they consume is safe,” he states, as reported by DetikHelath.
(Raidi/Agung)
