UK consumers urged to avoid eating “unsafe” sweets sold in shops

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a “do not eat” warning for the Jolly Rancher sweets sold in UK shops. According to the agency, these products contain Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) and Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH), making them unsafe to consume and not compliant with UK laws. Businesses importing, stocking, and selling them have been advised to stop immediately. The products already in circulation should be withdrawn or, if sold, recalled with compensation. Consumers are instead advised not to buy and not to eat them. The Hershey Company, which is the brand owner of the Jolly Rancher sweets, is cooperating with the FSA to remove unsafe products from the UK market.
MOAH and MOSH are a group of chemical compounds derived from crude oil refining. They are often found in food, cosmetics, and packaging materials. Their presence in food and other consumer products is a concern due to potential health risks. MOAH could damage DNA and has been linked to cancer, while MOSH accumulates in human tissues, especially in the liver and lymph nodes. However, the FSA said that these substances pose a health risk only when consumed regularly over a long period of time.