BEIJING, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Production of China's popular "mini jellies" was banned as of Monday in an attempt to curb the number of choking cases, particularly among children and the elderly.

    A new mandatory national standard has come into effect, banning production of "cup" jellies with a diameter smaller than 3.5 centimeters.

    Bar-shaped, or elongated, jellies must be at least six centimeters long under the standard.

    The standard was jointly issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine and the Standardization Administration of China.

    The standard, for the first time, specifies that warnings and instructions be labeled on the packaging in characters at least three millimeters high.

    Experts have warned the elderly, toddlers and infants are particularly susceptible to choking on jellies smaller than three centimeters in diameter.

    Jelly products that do not measure up to the new standard but have already entered the market can be sold until September 30. Enditem