The FSA has issued a fresh warning over the popular American sweets
The popular brand of American sweets is not sold legally in the UK anymore(Image: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a fresh ‘do not eat’ warning over popular American sweets as two additional products have been urgently recalled. It comes after a number of Jolly Rancher products manufactured by The Hershey Company were recalled last year after they were found to contain a dangerous substance.
According to a public alert by the FSA, some batches of Jolly Rancher sweets contain Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH), making them ‘unsafe to eat’ and not compliant with UK laws. The substance can cause damage to DNA and has the potential to increase the risk of cancer, particularly if consumed in high quantities over a prolonged period of time.
The FSA says MOAH is a ‘genotoxic carcinogen’, meaning no exposure is without risk to human health. Two additional products have been included in the fresh recall, including Jolly Rancher Filled Pops and Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried Candy.
The Hershey Company has taken action to remove these products from the UK market. Businesses selling these products in the UK are advised to immediately stop sales and undertake product recalls.
Jolly Rancher sweets are sold by The Hershey Company(Image: Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The FSA said in its updated alert on Friday (January 16): “The Hershey Company has continued to work collaboratively with the FSA, and despite their proactive action to remove unsafe products from UK markets in 2024, and their subsequent decision not to supply the UK market going forward, other businesses continue to import and supply the products to the UK market. The FSA therefore requested enforcing authorities in the UK to take action to remove products from the market to protect consumers.
“Whilst there is no immediate cause for concern for consumers that have eaten these products, as the food safety risk is low, MOAH is a known genotoxic carcinogen and may pose a safety risk – particularly if consumed regularly, over a sustained period.”
The FSA added: “Although the levels consumers are exposed to are likely to be low, they may present a risk to health because they contain MOAH. Consumption of the affected sweets is of toxicological concern, especially in younger age groups and where consumers eat a lot of the products or eat it regularly.
“MOAH can cause damage to DNA and has the potential to increase the risk of cancer, particularly if consumed in high quantities over a prolonged period of time. MOAH is a genotoxic carcinogen, therefore no exposure is without risk to human health.”
A picture of a packet of Jolly Rancher hard candy alongside other American confectionary.(Image: James Holt/Manchester Evening News)
The FSA has issued a ‘do not eat’ alert to anyone who has bought the affected products. Instead, consumers are urged to ‘dispose of them at home’.
It added: “If you are concerned, notify your Trading Standards department or Environmental Health department in the Local Authority for the area in which you purchased the products.”
Jolly Rancher products listed below may contain MOAH, making them unsafe to eat. The affected batches are as follows:
Jolly Rancher Hard Candy (all flavours)
Pack size – All pack sizesBatch code – All batch codesBest before – All dates
Jolly Rancher ‘Misfits’ Gummies (all flavours)
Pack size – All pack sizesBatch code – All batch codesBest before – All dates
Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1 (all flavours)
Pack size – All pack sizesBatch code – All batch codesBest before – All dates
Jolly Rancher Berry Gummies (Berry flavour)
Pack size – All pack sizesBatch code – All batch codesBest before – All dates
Jolly Rancher Filled Pops (all flavours)
Pack size – All pack sizesBatch code – All batch codesBest before – All dates
Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried Candy (all flavours)
Pack size – All pack sizesBatch code – All batch codesBest before – All dates