UK recalls Jolly Rancher candies over cancer-linked chemicals, but Americans can still buy them
By isabelle // 2026-01-19
Copy
 
  • UK authorities issue an urgent "do not eat" warning for several Jolly Rancher candies.
  • The recall is due to cancer-linked petroleum chemicals banned in UK food.
  • The chemicals pose a higher long-term risk to children and frequent consumers.
  • This is part of a pattern of U.S.-made foods with banned ingredients entering the UK.
  • The incident highlights differing food safety standards between the U.S. and the UK.
The British government has issued an urgent public health warning against a lineup of popular American candies, declaring them unsafe to eat due to the presence of cancer-linked petroleum chemicals. This action targets several Jolly Rancher products manufactured by The Hershey Company that were found to contain banned mineral oils, spotlighting a growing rift between U.S. and European food safety standards and raising serious questions about the lack of protection for American children. The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) escalated a year-long concern into a full public alert. The agency cautioned consumers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to stop eating and dispose of specific Jolly Rancher items, including Hard Candy, Misfits Gummies, Berry Gummies, Filled Pops, and Freeze Dried Candy. The culprit is a class of chemicals known as Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH), derived from crude oil.

The toxic ingredients in your candy

The FSA states that MOAH "is a known carcinogen" with the potential to damage DNA and increase cancer risk, particularly with regular, long-term consumption. A related substance that was also found, Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH), can accumulate in the body's organs. "Mineral oil is not allowed in food in the UK," the agency stated, noting these ingredients make the sweets non-compliant with UK law. While the agency said there is "no immediate cause for concern for consumers that have eaten these products," the long-term risk is clear. "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," the FSA warned. The chemicals pose a higher danger to children and frequent snackers. This recall is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern. The FSA noted that despite The Hershey Company deciding to stop supplying the UK market in 2024, other businesses have continued to import and sell the tainted sweets. This has forced the government to step in with direct orders to retailers.

A flood of non-compliant imports

The agency is now calling for stricter enforcement to stop the flow. "Food businesses selling these products in the UK are advised to immediately stop sales, undertake product withdrawals and, where there have been retail sales, to undertake product recalls," the FSA directed. Authorities are tasked with ensuring "that unsafe products are withdrawn from the market." Jolly Ranchers are merely the latest American products to be flagged. Last year, reports indicated a flood of U.S. imports containing ingredients illegal in the UK, including Fanta Pineapple, Prime Hydration drinks, and candies like Swedish Fish. These items contained substances like brominated vegetable oil (BVO) and artificial dyes Red 40 and Yellow 5, which are linked to health issues but remain common in the U.S. food supply. The affected Jolly Rancher products also contain these controversial artificial dyes. All of these dyes have been linked to hyperactivity, migraines and some forms of cancer, creating a cocktail of questionable additives in a single package marketed to children. In response to the alert, a Hershey spokesperson told USA TODAY that product safety is the company's priority and "consumers can rest assured that our products are safe to enjoy." The statement highlighted a key issue: global market differences. "We cannot guarantee that the products meet the regulatory requirements of the end market, which may differ from those of the US," the spokesperson said.

Why aren't American children being protected?

This admission points to the core question for American parents: why are ingredients deemed too dangerous for children in the United Kingdom still perfectly legal and unlabeled in the same products sold in the United States? The UK has determined that no exposure to a known genotoxic carcinogen like MOAH is without risk, yet American regulators continue to allow a different, more permissive standard. The final picture is one of a two-tiered food safety system. British authorities are actively pulling these candies from shelves to protect their citizens, especially children, from chronic toxic exposure. Meanwhile, the same brightly packaged sweets, with the same chemical composition, sit undisturbed on American store shelves. It prompts a necessary conversation about corporate responsibility and whether American families are being left behind in the global movement toward cleaner, safer food. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk Independent.co.uk USAToday.com
Copy