British consumers face an urgent health warning as authorities order the immediate removal of popular American confectionery from shop shelves across the nation.
The Food Standards Agency issued an emergency alert demanding businesses cease sales of multiple Jolly Rancher sweet products, which have been found to contain dangerous oils.
The agency declared the sweets "unsafe to eat" and "unlawful" under UK regulations, demanding retailers to pull the products from their shelves without delay.
The contaminated confectionery poses particular risks to younger consumers who frequently indulge in the colourful treats.
The contaminated confectionery poses particular risks to younger consumers
The American Store/American Candy Stores
The contamination involves Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) and Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH), substances that render the sweets non-compliant with British food safety laws.
Four specific products have been identified in the recall: Jolly Rancher hard candies, 'Misfits' Gummies, Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Jolly Ranchers Berry Gummies.
The Food Standards Agency confirmed that all pack sizes and batch codes of these products must be removed from circulation.
Businesses that have already sold the items to consumers have been instructed to implement urgent product recalls to protect public health.
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The warning said: "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."
The agency classified MOAH as a genotoxic carcinogen, warning that "no exposure is without risk to human health".
Officials expressed particular concern about younger age groups, noting that "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".
Consumers who have purchased these products must not consume them and dispose of them immediately
The American Store/American Candy Stores
Consumers who have purchased these products must not consume them and should dispose of them immediately. The Food Standards Agency has instructed buyers to notify their local Trading Standards or Environmental Health department about the contaminated sweets.
Those who have already consumed the products need not panic, as authorities state there is "no immediate cause for concern", although they have strongly advised against eating any more.
The Hershey Company will continue to work with British authorities to remove non-compliant products from UK shelves. However, enforcement has remained challenging as other companies continue importing these products into Britain.
The Food Standards Agency has urged all enforcing authorities to take swift action to protect consumers and has advised food businesses to cease importing and distributing these American sweets.
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