Jolly Rancher sweets recalled by FSA for not complying with UK law

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A range of Jolly Rancher sweets have been recalled by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for not complying with UK law, after being found to contain banned mineral oils that could damage DNA and increase cancer risk.

The affected products, owned by US company The Hershey Company, contain mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) and mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) – chemical compounds prohibited in food under UK regulations.

The FSA has advised businesses selling these products to “immediately stop sales, undertake product withdrawals and where there have been retail sales, to undertake product recalls.”

The non-compliant Jolly Rancher products include:

• Jolly Rancher Hard Candy
• Jolly Rancher ‘Misfits’ Gummies
• Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1
• Jolly Rancher Berry Gummies

All pack sizes, batch codes and best before dates are affected.

In its food alert issued on Wednesday, the FSA 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. MOAH is a genotoxic carcinogen, therefore no exposure is without risk to human health.”

While the immediate risk to consumers is low, regular consumption over time could pose a health hazard, especially for children.

MOAH and MOSH are sometimes used in confectionery to prevent stickiness and give a glossy finish, but their presence in food is banned in the UK.

Recall immediately

The Hershey Company has been cooperating with the FSA since 2024 to remove these products from UK shelves and has now ceased supplying the UK market. However, the FSA says some businesses have continued to import and distribute the sweets.

The agency is urging enforcement authorities to take swift action by contacting businesses supplied with the products to withdraw and recall them immediately.

Consumers who have bought any of these sweets are advised not to eat them and to dispose of them at home. If consumers have any concerns, they are being asked to notify the Trading Standards department or environmental health department in the local authority they made the purchase from.