First introduced to us 20 years ago,the new generation of crystal soil sold today is so pretty,that it looks like large sago balls or translucent jellies.It catches the sunlight so beautifully,even adults are mesmerised by the exceptionally eye catching range of colours.
Although inedible it has now been banned because apparently it looks so mouthwatering especially to toddlers who just have to pop some into their mouths.
School going kids just cannot resist their magic.Even if they hardly get out much,the product would have been introduced to them at their school bookshops.They would have skipped a meal and used their pocket money to purchase a packet(it's a herd mentality thing,their friends bought some,therefore they follow suit )
Fascinated primary kids can be found repeatedly playing with the expanded balls which they store in used mineral water bottles at times hidden away from adult eyes in a corner of the room.
Do make it a point to check where they would have stashed theirs (beware that the instant you voice out they will pass it to their friends for safekeeping) and try to educate them on the dangers of this nice "plaything".
I don't believe in taking away something that they would have probably fallen in love with....unless of course you have toddlers in the house.
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| Before & After |
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What school bookshops are selling to your kids |
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"Crystal Ball" Seed Growing Kits Banned - The Star
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Thursday that importers, sellers and others defying the ban could be fined RM100,000 under the Consumer Protection Act.
He said the Government decided on the ban after receiving reports from the Kuala Lumpur Hospital and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital of several cases of major surgery involving children aged one to five who were believed to have swallowed the "crystal balls."The colourful seed-growing kit, also known by various other names such as Jelly Ball, Crystal Jelly, Baby Jelly, Baby Crystal and Crystal Soil, is used to facilitate the growth of a plant or as a decoration in a pot, he told reporters here.
Ismail Sabri said that seven surgeries had been performed at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital involving children who swallowed crystal balls, the latest being a 12-month-old infant who underwent an operation on Tuesday.
He said children who swallowed the seed-growing kits could experience symptoms such as vomiting, constipation, bloating of the stomach, abdominal pains, bowel obstructions and intestinal leakage.
"Looking at the crystal ball, it is easy to understand why children may think that it can be eaten. The original size of the ball is less than 0.5cm. When put in water, the jelly rubber ball can expand five to six times its original size," he said.
He added that Poland and Italy had banned the crystal balls last year. - Bernama
