The Aji Chiban snacks chain has been told by China’s Consumer Council to warn parents that they may need to keep a close eye on their children, in case exposure to “stone chocolate” sweet products sold by the chain lead kids to try and eat real stones.

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The confectionery, which is sold in China, Singapore, the Philippines and Britain, has been on the market for a year and no serious incidents have been reported, but Aji Chiban spokesman Kenny Yeung said that the store will carry out an investigation and consider issuing a warning.


“But we don’t think it would be a serious one since the sweets are nothing like stones in texture or smell,” Yeung added however.


Experts on child development counter however that representing sweets as stone can confuse young minds. Connie Lau Yin-hing, council research and surveys division head, told the South China Morning Post that the consequences of children eating real stones could be dire.

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