Parents warned to avoid King Regal brand of novelty liquid sweets - Roll on King, Spray King, Tuby Acid - because of mouth burn risk

Thursday 17 April 2003

Ref: 2003/0366

The Food Standards Agency is advising people not to eat three new varieties of novelty liquid sweets - Roll on King, Spray King, and Tuby Acid – manufactured by Spanish company King Regal. They have caused burns to the mouths of five Spanish children and other effects such as stinging sensation to lips and tongue, and irritation to taste buds.

At least one of the products – Roll on King – has been imported in large quantities for sale in the UK. Spray King and Tuby Acid may also be on sale in the UK. They have been distributed primarily to smaller shops across England and Scotland and are available in four flavours: Blue Raspberry, Strawberry, Apple Green and Watermelon.

Steven Wearne, Head of Chemical Contaminants at the Food Standards Agency, said:

'Burning sensations to the mouth, lips and tongue as a result of eating these novelty sweets are likely to be extremely unpleasant for children. Our advice to parents and children is to avoid eating these novelty liquid sweets altogether.'

The Food Standards Agency has alerted Local Authorities to the problem and is in discussion with the importer and distributor to ensure that the products are removed from sale as quickly as possible.

The Agency was informed about the problem by the European Commission. The liquid sweets, which have only been on the market since early 2003, resemble roll-on and spray aerosol canisters, and contain a syrup which the Spanish authorities believe is too acidic for children. Although adverse health effects to children are extremely unlikely to be life-threatening, they could be alarming to children and extremely unpleasant.

The FSA has also been informed by the European Commission that, following discussion with the Spanish authorities, King Regal have agreed to withdraw the product from sale and to change the composition of the liquid sweet to substantially lower the acidity level. They have also confirmed that no more of the sweets will be made until the Spanish Health Authority is satisfied that the syrup will not cause harmful health effects to children.

Notes to editors

Product Name:	Product descriptions:	Flavours / Colours:	Other details:
Roll-On King	Small canister with lid - similar in shape as a roll-on deodorant	Apple Green (Manaza) - Light green packaging Strawberry (Fresa) Pink packaging Blue Raspberry (Frambuesa) – Light blue packaging Watermelon (Sandia) – Turquoise packaging	Cartoon picture of child eating the sweet Small King Regal Logo (Lion)
Spray King	Small, thin spray aerosol can with lid	All flavours and colours as above	Described on product label as Spray Candy. Cartoon picture of a devil. Small King Regal Logo (Lion)
Tuby Acid	Small plastic container, similar in shape to a nasal spray	Apple Green (Manaza) - Light green on white Strawberry (Fresa) Pink on white Blue Raspberry (Frambuesa) - Light blue on white Watermelon (Sandia) - Turquoise on white	Includes the word Extra Sour on the product label. Cartoon picture of a devil. Small King Regal Logo (Lion)

Fuller product details, descriptions and photos can be found on the King Regal website: