The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent warning and product recall for a popular range of sweets, declaring them unsafe to eat. The alert, issued on Friday 16th January 2026, concerns various Jolly Rancher products imported into the UK market.
What is the Danger in the Sweets?
The FSA revealed that tests found the affected sweets contain Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH). These are complex compounds derived from petroleum, which can find their way into food via packaging inks, lubricants, or processing aids. The agency has classified MOAH as a known genotoxic carcinogen, meaning it can damage DNA and has the potential to increase the risk of cancer, particularly if consumed regularly over a long period.
While the FSA stated there is no immediate cause for concern for those who have already eaten the products and that the food safety risk is considered low, it emphasised that no exposure is without risk. The risk is heightened for younger consumers and those who eat the sweets frequently or in large quantities.
Full List of Affected Jolly Rancher Products
The FSA has ordered the immediate withdrawal and recall of the following items. Consumers are urged to check their homes for:
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candy (all flavours)
- Jolly Rancher ‘Misfits’ Gummies (all flavours)
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1 (all flavours)
- Jolly Rancher Berry Gummies (Berry flavour)
- Jolly Rancher Filled Pops (all flavours)
- Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried Candy (all flavours)
What Action Has Been Taken?
The FSA has instructed all food businesses importing or selling these products in the UK to immediately stop sales, withdraw stock, and initiate product recalls. The brand owner, The Hershey Company, had previously taken action to remove unsafe products in 2024 and decided not to supply the UK market going forward. However, the FSA notes that other businesses have continued to import and supply the items, prompting this new enforcement action.
The agency is now calling on local enforcement authorities across the UK to ensure the products are removed from sale to safeguard the public. Businesses have been told to inform the FSA of any recall actions taken.
What Should Consumers Do?
If you have purchased any of the listed Jolly Rancher products, the advice is clear: do not eat them. The FSA advises consumers to dispose of the sweets at home. Anyone who is concerned is advised to notify their local Trading Standards or Environmental Health department.
The FSA differentiates between a product 'withdrawal', where items are taken off shelves, and a 'recall', where customers are asked to return products. This incident has triggered a full Product Recall Information Notice to alert both consumers and local authorities.
