The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a significant warning regarding several popular sweets from the American brand Jolly Rancher, urging consumers and businesses to stop buying, selling, and eating specific products immediately. The sweets are deemed “unsafe to eat” as they contain ingredients that are not compliant with UK food safety laws and could pose a long-term health risk, including potentially increasing the risk of cancer.
While the immediate risk is considered low if you have already eaten some, the FSA stresses that the products pose a safety concern if consumed regularly over time, particularly in high quantities or by younger age groups.
Why Are These Sweets Unsafe?
The FSA’s concern centres on the presence of specific chemical compounds used in some Jolly Rancher products: mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) and mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH).
These mineral oils are commonly used in confectionery to prevent sweets from sticking together and to give them a glossy finish.
However, the FSA states that their presence in the affected Jolly Rancher products does not comply with UK laws.
MOAH is the primary concern. It is classified as a genotoxic carcinogen, meaning it has the potential to cause damage to DNA. Experts warn that exposure to a genotoxic carcinogen is “without risk to human health,” especially when consumed in high quantities over a prolonged period, where it could potentially increase the risk of cancer.
While less the focus, MOSH can also accumulate in body tissues, such as the liver.
The FSA published a “Food Alert ‘For Action'” highlighting that these compounds raise “toxicological concern.”
Which Jolly Rancher Products Are Affected?
The FSA’s warning applies to the following specific Jolly Rancher products, across all batch codes, pack sizes, and best-before dates:
Jolly Rancher Hard Candy
Jolly Rancher ‘Misfits’ Gummies
Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1
Jolly Ranchers Berry Gummies
What You Should Do
Consumers: If you have purchased any of the affected Jolly Rancher products listed above, do not eat them. You should dispose of the sweets safely at home. If you have concerns or want to report a retailer selling these products, you can contact the Trading Standards department or environmental health department at your local authority where you made the purchase. The FSA reiterates that while there’s no immediate alarm if you’ve already eaten some, you should stop consuming them now.
Businesses (Retailers & Importers): UK businesses are being urged to stop importing, distributing, and selling the affected Jolly Rancher products immediately. Businesses must undertake product withdrawals from shelves and initiate product recalls if the sweets have already been sold to customers.
Enforcement Action Underway
The Hershey Company, which owns the Jolly Rancher brand, has reportedly been working with UK authorities since 2024 to remove these products from the market. However, the FSA notes that some businesses in Britain have continued to import and sell them.
In response, the FSA is asking enforcement authorities, including local councils, to make immediate contact with any businesses that have been supplied with or received any of the affected products. Authorities are tasked with taking action to ensure the non-compliant and potentially unsafe items are effectively withdrawn from the market and recalled from consumers where necessary.
The warning specifically applies to England, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
