Iconic US candy eaten by millions banned in UK over fears of cancer-causing ingredients

Health officials in the UK have taken Jolly Ranchers off shelves over fears of cancer-causing ingredients. 

UK-based watchdog Food Standards Agency said affected candies, made by Hershey, include Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, Jolly Rancher Misfits Gummies, Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1 and Jolly Rancher Berry Gummies. 

The candies were banned for containing mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) and mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), petroleum-based additives that usually enter foods from processing equipment. 

They’re most often found in vegetable oils, candy, chips, cereals, canned fish and baby food.  

Both substances are prohibited in UK food production over fears they can accumulate in the liver and lymphatic system, damaging DNA and increasing the risk of cancer. 

All of the Jolly Rancher products now banned in the UK contain mineral oils in their US versions. The products also lead the US hard candy market with $160million in sales every year.

Hershey told UK regulators it has taken action to remove affected brands from British markets. However, there are no restrictions against these additives in the US.

Jolly Rancher products in the US also contain artificial colors like Red 40, Yellows 5 and 6 and Blue 1, which are all prohibited in the UK due to links to hyperactivity, migraines and cancer.  

The FSA said after the ban was announced Wednesday in the UK: ‘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 them regularly.’

The agency said while ‘there should be no immediate casue for concern’ for UK customers who have eaten the affected products, they should not continue to buy them.  

A Hershey spokesperson told USA Today Thursday that its products are ‘safe to enjoy’ and that because it is a global brand, customers can sometimes purchase products in markets other than those where they were produced.

In this case, even though Hershey is American, its products have found their way to the UK.

The spokesperson said: ‘In such cases, we cannot guarantee that the products meet the regulatory requirements of the end market, which may differ from those of the US.

‘We encourage consumers to purchase all Hershey products from established retailers to ensure product integrity and compliance. 

‘In the meantime, we’re continuing to work closely with the FSA in the United Kingdom on these important issues and look forward to bringing Jolly Rancher products back to established retailers soon.’

US health officials have not issued any guidance for American consumers.  

MOAH are considered genotoxic carcinogens, meaning they can induce cancers by directly attacking DNA, even at low levels. This increases the risk of healthy cells mutating into cancer cells. 

Some types of MOSH, meanwhile, have been shown to accumulate in the liver and lymphatic system, based on animal studies. 

However, it’s unclear if similar effects can be seen in humans. 

All of the Jolly Rancher products included in the ban also include artificial food dyes like Red 40, Yellows 5 and 6 and Blue 1. 

Despite being prohibited in the UK, these are allowed in the US. However, health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has announced plans to outlaw the colors. 

All of these dyes have been linked to hyperactivity, migraines and some forms of cancer.