21-month-old Japanese boy choked to death on a frozen MannanLife konjac jelly. 17 people died from choking on konjac between 1995 and 2008. MannanLife konjac jelly's packaging bag now shows a note to consumers, advising them to cut the product into smaller pieces before serving it to small children. In 1999, Michelle Enrile, 12, from San Jose, CA, choked on a piece of konjac gel candy. She lapsed into a coma and died two years later. The Enriles won a $16.7 million judgment against the Taiwanese manufacturer of the candy. Vegan seafood alternative Konjac corm powder has a noticeably fishy smell and is used as an ingredient in vegan alternative seafood products. It can be incorporated into plant-based versions of seafood. For Chinese cooking, thin strands of konjac gel can be used as substitute for shark fins when preparing a plant-based version of shark fin soup. Other uses Konjac can also be used for facial massage accessories, which are currently popular in Korea and gaining popularity in the West. Most commonly this is through the use of a konjac sponge, which is unique in that it can be used on sensitive skin that may become easily irritated with more common exfoliating tools (such as loofahs or washcloths). It can be used in the formulation of drugs and devices such as oral colon-targeting drug delivery systems (OCDDS), which enable drugs to be delivered directly to the colon. In traditional hand papermaking in Japan, konnyaku imparts strength to paper for dyeing, rubbing, folding—and other manipulations, such as momigami. Shirataki noodles have gained popularity in the United States for their low carbohydrate content. See also Muk Shirataki noodles References External links konjac Chinese condiments Edible thickening agents E-number additives Jams and jellies Japanese condiments Medicinal plants Natural gums Papermaking Plants described in 1858 Root vegetables Sichuan cuisine