Usually when one ingests glucommanan one has to drink a lot of water, also with Psyllium Husk, to avoid bloating,etc.  Is this true of gummy owls?

David Mendosa, Health Guide

5/ 2/12 6:23pm

Yes, water or other liquid.

There is a choking risk with these tyoe of candies.. here is a warning from the FDA  on a similar product

FDA Again Warns of Choking Risk with 'Konjac' Gel Candies
Published Aug 23, 2008

Advertisement

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a second warning and announcing an import alert concerning mini-cup gel candies that contain the ingredient "konjac" (also known as conjac, konnyaku, yam flour, or glucomannan). FDA decided a second warning was warranted (the first was issued on August 17, 2001) after consultation with experts on choking from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC confirmed that these candies pose a serious choking risk, particularly to infants, children and the elderly. In addition, the agency has issued an import alert to address the importation of these candies from other countries.

These multi-fruit-flavored candies are typically packaged as individual, mouth-sized servings, and often feature an embedded piece of preserved fruit. Unlike gelatin products commonly found in the U.S., these candies do not readily dissolve when placed in the mouth.

"The public needs to be aware that these candies pose a choking hazard, said Bernard A. Schwetz, D.V.M., Ph.D, FDA's Acting Principal Deputy Commissioner. "We hope to prevent any more of these products from getting into the country, but in the meantime, people need to beware of konjac mini-cup gel candies that may still be in the marketplace."

FDA continues to investigate this matter. For more specific information, see the Import Alert #33-15 at http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia3315.html.

David Mendosa, Health Guide

5/14/12 4:41pm

Dear George,

 

I was aware of that FDA warning long before I wrote this article. I asked the Gummy Owls people about it, and this is their reply:

 

"Regarding FDA action on konjac fiber (glucomannan), when we started developing Gummy Owls (almost three years ago), we were aware of 2001-2003 FDA recalls of glucomannan jelly mini-cups.  According to FDA documents, the choking hazard of these products had been due to their shape (dome shape), slipperiness (because of a thin surface layer of water), rubberiness (because of the jelly texture), and no dissolvability in the mouth. Gummy Owls are not jelly mini-cups, but rather similar in shape to the ubiquitous “gummy bear,” as you have seen. Furthermore, our in-house lab studies show that Gummy Owls are not slippery, not rubbery, and dissolve easily in the mouth."

 

David

georgepds

5/14/12 5:17pm

David

 

Thank you.

 

My understanding  is the problem is the glucomannan itself, which expands in the esophagus and causes the choking. The very quality that makes it so useful in controlling appetite (expansion in the gut) is the quality that causes choking (expansion in the esophagus) The other qualities you mention ( their shape, slipperiness , rubberiness , and no dissolvability in the mouth) just help get it down

 

As I understand it , the danger is mostly children, three died of the earlier candy (1)

 

In the Canadian recall (2) the minister of health pointed out that it was the glucomannan that was the problem "There are some products on the market which do not contain Konjac and these products are not a part of the recall order."

 

I can see that it poses little or no harm to adults who heed the warning and take only three per serving, but I see nothing that would prevent a kid from eating too many and suffering the same fate as the earlier candy caused

 

But, I'm open to correction... perhaps the makers of owl candy could tell us why it is these other qualities, and not the expansion of the glucomannan itself that is the problem

 

 

regards

 

G

 

 

1) http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2001/11/20/jellycuprecall_011120.html

2) http://www.peanutallergy.com/boards/recall-of-mini-cup-jellies-choking-hazard

 

 

Well, I bought some last week and did not question the source of fiber.  I just read this one and got out my magnifying glass and found that it contains one gram of corn fiber.  What is that? 

A byproduct of HFC manufacture? 

Sigh.  I wonder if I have something that is good or another Frankinfood? 

David Mendosa, Health Guide

5/31/12 7:36pm

Dear Carole,

 

Run right out and buy a more powerful magnifying glass! Gummy Owls have NO corn fiber. It's "Condensed Konjac Yam Fiber." Konjac, not corn!

 

David

Just placed an order and it would NOT accept the coupon code as listed in your article!  I am disappointed with the company and expressed this to them with the order.  I did a copy/paste from your article so i know that it was correct!  Does not speak well for the company!

Has Gummy Owls effectiveness been compared to PGX Daily, which contains Konjac-mannan?

Beautiful Day

6/ 2/12 9:37pm

Gummies are yummy, but pills aren't.