WRITTEN QUESTION E-0504/02 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission. Accidents caused by non-edible contents of chocolate eggs.
Date: 2002-02-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: accident in the home, confectionery product, market approval, product safety

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/153

(2002/C 205 E/164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0504/02

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(22 February 2002)

Subject: Accidents caused by non-edible contents of chocolate eggs

Using the European Home and Leisure Injury Surveillance System (EHLASS) to record accidents caused by
non-edible objects contained in chocolate eggs, the Athens University Accident Research and Prevention
Centre has found that these products are dangerous and continue to cause accidents, primarily to children.
Moreover, other studies carried out in Germany, Israel and the USA confirm the Athens findings.

With Easter in view, what measures will the Commission take to ensure that foodstuffs containing non-
edible objects are subject to legal rules and standards (regarding their size, for example) which will
guarantee that they are safe and prohibit such practices as mixing edible and non-edible objects? How can
the Commission contribute towards bringing about an agreement with manufacturers to design these
products more safely in order to avoid any recurrence of fatal accidents in the future?

(2002/C 205 E/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0548/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 February 2002)

Subject: Accidents to children caused by small objects in chocolate eggs

The Centre for Research and Prevention of Accidents to Children in Greece has expressed its concern over
accidents to children caused by swallowing small, non-edible objects (toys) in chocolate eggs. Despite the
manufacturers’ claims that they are safe and do not cause injury, an estimated 2000 accidents a year are
reported in Europe. Deaths from asphyxiation have already been reported and no-one can predict when
the next fatal accident will occur. The USA has already banned the sale of these products.

Does the Commission have studies and statistics available for this type of accident?

What measures will it take to put an end to this dangerous practice of mixing edible and non-edible
objects in products designed for young children?

As this is a public health issue, can the Member States take measures unilaterally

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0504/02 and E-0548/02
given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2002)

In 1999, the Commission conducted a preliminary investigation into the risks posed by the association of
certain types of non-food products (often toys) with food products (often confectionery). The investigation
looked at non-food products in distinctive packaging which accompany food products, including ‘surprise
eggs’ containing toys packaged separately (in capsules or in another way). It is important to distinguish
between these and non-food products without their own packaging directly associated (i.e. mixed in) with
foods. With regard to the latter, it was decided as long ago as 1997 that they should be considered as
prohibited under Council Directive 92/59/EEC of 29 June 1992 on general product safety (1) because of
the high risk they posed.