WRITTEN QUESTION E-0504/02

Submission: To the Commission

12 February 2002

Subject: Accidents from chocolate eggs

The Accident Research and Prevention Center of the University of Athens, using the EHLASS system to record accidents caused by inedible objects found in chocolate eggs, highlights that these products are dangerous and continue to cause accidents, primarily among children. At the same time, other studies conducted in Germany, Israel, and the U.S. confirm the findings of the University of Athens.

The Committee is asked, in light of Easter, what measures it intends to take to ensure that foods containing inedible objects are subject to legal rules and specifications (regarding size, for example) that will ensure their safety and prohibit similar practices of mixing edible with inedible objects. Finally, how can the Committee contribute to reaching an agreement with manufacturers for the safer design of these products, so that no further fatal accidents occur in the future?