UK Bans Popular ‘Jolly’ Candy

January 21, 2026 – Health officials are calling for tighter restrictions on food imports after popular American sweets, Jolly Ranchers, were found to contain potentially harmful chemicals linked to petrol.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent food safety alert warning consumers not to eat certain Jolly Rancher products sold in the UK. Tests revealed the presence of Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH), substances considered unsafe for human consumption. MOAH are industrial contaminants commonly associated with petroleum products and can pose serious health risks if ingested over time.

The sweets, manufactured by US-based company The Hershey Company, are not authorised for sale under UK food safety regulations. While Jolly Ranchers are not officially distributed in the UK, they are often imported and sold through independent retailers, discount shops, and online marketplaces.

The FSA said the affected products present “a food safety risk” and has instructed local authorities to take action to remove them from sale. Health officials are now urging stronger enforcement measures to prevent unauthorised confectionery products from entering the UK market in the first place.

Food safety experts warn that MOAH compounds may contain carcinogens and should not be present in food at any level. “These substances are not permitted in food products sold in the UK,” an FSA spokesperson said, stressing that consumer safety must come before commercial demand.

The alert has renewed calls for stricter import controls and clearer accountability for retailers selling non-compliant products. Campaigners argue that gaps in enforcement allow unsafe foods to reach consumers, particularly children, who are the primary market for such sweets.

Consumers who have already purchased Jolly Ranchers are advised not to eat them and to dispose of the products safely. The FSA has said it will continue to monitor the situation and work with enforcement bodies to prevent further sales.