Urgent warning about banned US sweets ‘flooding’ UK stores, posing potential cancer risks
Britons have been warned that hundreds of thousands of sweets, snacks and soft drinks on corner shop shelves could contain banned additives linked to behavioral problems and even some cancers.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has issued a warning following their recent audit which saw 4,000 potentially harmful items worth £8,500 seized in Staffordshire alone.
The concern concerns imported American treats containing potentially dangerous or undeclared ingredients, with demand reportedly soaring due to videos celebrating the items posted on TikTok.
The CTSI investigation found that chips containing the additive ‘Yellow 6’, a synthetic food coloring that is restricted in Britain, were being widely sold.
In Britain, products containing this substance, also called ‘sunset yellow’ or ‘E110’, must carry a disclaimer stating that the products may cause hyperactivity in children.
Another worrying chemical found was the preservative EDTA, which is found in the US version of Mountain Dew but is completely banned from carbonated drinks in Britain.
Also called calcium disodium, studies on this compound have shown links to fertility problems and the development of colon cancer.
Carrageenan, a thickener made from red seaweed, was also found in some jelly candies.
Although the Chartered Trading Standards Institute did not name any of the products directly seized, images show items such as Cheetos brand crisps, sweets such as Jolly Ranchers, Swedish Fish, Lemonheads and Twizzlers, as well as various flavors of the Mountain Dew soft drink. among those seized by authorities
The Institute warned that stores are responding to huge demand among young people for imported American sweets which have been banned in Britain because they contain ingredients linked to health risks
Although carrageenan is not banned in Britain, it should not be added to jelly-like sweets sold in Britain as it may pose a choking hazard to children due to its firm consistency.
Other banned substances found in sweets include mineral oils which are used to extend the shelf life of products and create a shiny, smooth coating.
Although considered safe in the US, studies suggest that the petroleum-derived additive could increase the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer and bladder cancer.
Chemically bleached flour, which is banned in Britain due to its link to cancer risk, was also found in some items.
Although CTSI did not name any of the products seized, images show Cheetos crips, candies such as Jolly Ranchers, Swedish Fish, Lemonheads and Twizzlers, as well as several flavors of the Mountain Dew soft drink seized by authorities.
CTSI also warned that a number of products did not comply with UK rules on allergy warnings and in some cases were long out of date.
CTSI said the Christmas period is a period of high demand for these products, with interest among British children driven by influencers posting videos of ‘sweets’ and reviews of imported sweets on social media.
Dean Cooke, CTSI lead officer for food, said: “Social media has increased demand for American sweets, with influencers on platforms like TikTok showcasing these colorful products in a way that appeals to children and teens.
An earlier investigation by MailOnline found that banned white mineral oil was found in Swedish Fish and Lemonhead sweets sold in US sweet shops in London
Popular stocking fillers such as Jolly Ranchers, Swedish Fish and Lemonheads are all imported from the US and are widely available across the UK. Not only are they appearing on numerous candy shelves across the country, but they are also becoming increasingly popular online, with advertisements on TikTok and Instagram. Although versions of the products sold in major stores have had their recipes updated to comply with UK regulations, the US-formulated products that are unlawfully imported contain banned chemicals.
‘While this boosts seasonal sales, it also creates a dangerous market for items that do not meet British safety standards.’
He said that while trading standards officials were working to remove such products from UK shelves, he added that ‘parents must be vigilant in checking labels to protect their children from potential harm.’
Mr Cooke added: ‘Importers must by law relabel products with a UK or Great Britain address.’
‘If food does not have a UK or GB address on the label, we would advise them not to buy it.’
Councilor Victoria Wilson, responsible for trading standards at Staffordshire County Council, where the recent audit was carried out, added: ‘During this pilot project we were alarmed to find more than 3,300 unsafe items on sale, many of which contained unauthorized ingredients and aimed at children.’
‘These items are often poorly labeled and may contain harmful additives, posing serious public health concerns. Parents should remain alert and avoid products with unclear labeling, especially during the holiday season.”
The warnings echo those from a MailOnline investigation carried out earlier this year, which found a large number of banned or undeclared ingredients in US sweets.
These included sweet brands Swedish Fish and Lemonhead, which were found to contain a banned white mineral oil.
During that investigation, Yellow 6 was also found in some versions of both candies without warning labels.
Previous audits have also uncovered some examples of imported drinks containing brominated vegetable oil (BVO), which is used to prevent flavors in drinks from breaking down and floating to the top.
BVO is banned in Britain and has been linked to headaches, memory loss, balance disorders and thyroid problems.