FOOD safety officers in parts of Kent are scouring shops searching for banned sweets.

Children and parents have been warned by the Food Standards Agency to avoid eating mini cup jelly sweets containing Konjac.

This type of sweet was banned across Europe last year after 18 children worldwide choked to death after eating it.

Cllr Ingrid Spencer, Thanet Council cabinet member for community services and the environment, said: "Parents need to be aware of the potential risk from these sweets and children should not buy or eat them. Our food safety team will visit local shops to ensure that if these products are available in Thanet, they are removed from sale."

Two products called Jellyace Lychee Flavor Konjac and Jellyace Buko Pandan, which are sold under the brand name Sugarland, have now been found on sale in shops in the region.

Both products contain the additive Konjac and jelly sweets made with this ingredient do not dissolve easily and can lead to the sweets becoming stuck in a child's throat. The use of Konjac in jelly confectionery was banned in Europe last year.

Packets of Jellyace Buko Pandan which are labelled as containing locust bean gum are legal, as this is an alternative gelling agent to Konjac.