PARENTS have been warned over banned sweets “flooding” UK shops in the run-up to Christmas.
Hundreds of thousands of sweets, snacks and fizzy drinks could contain banned additives linked to behavioural problems and even certain cancers.
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Chemically bleached flour which is banned in the UK because of its links to cancer was found in some items.
Another petroleum-derived additive that could increase the risk of skin and bladder cancer was also found in some sweets.
Yellow 6 – or E110 – a synthetic food dye that causes hyperactivity in children and which is restricted in the UK, was discovered in a large number of crisps.
The preservative EDTA, which is found in the American version of Mountain Dew but is banned in the UK, was also discovered.
Studies of this compound have revealed its links to fertility problems and colon cancers.
Carrageenan, a thickener made from red seaweed, was also discovered in numerous jelly sweets.
Although not a banned substance, it is forbidden from being added to candy as its firm texture poses a potential choking hazard to children.
Imported American confectionery and food stuff have become increasingly popular among Brit children and teenagers thanks to influencers posting about them on TikTok.
The alert was issued after an audit by The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) found 4,000 potentially dangerous items confiscated in Staffordshire.
Councillor Victoria Wilson at Staffordshire County Council said: “Consumers are urged to scrutinise labels for compliance.
“Items labelled with American weight measurements (ounces, fluid ounces) are likely imports.
“These products must adhere to UK food safety standards, including accurate allergen labelling and exclusion of unauthorised additives.”
Items seized
During a recent pilot project funded by the Food Standards Agency, they seized 3,378 items valued at £8,500 from local shops. These products, often manufactured for foreign markets, contained unauthorised additives such as:
- 1,750 cans/bottles of drinks containing EDTA.
- 1,545 packets of crisps containing Yellow 6 (E110).
- 400 packets of sweets containing mineral oil, bleached flour, or carrageenan.
Although CTSI didn’t identify the exact products which had been confiscated, pictures show Cheetos crisps, Jolly Ranchers, Swedish Fish, Lemonheads and Twizzlers among those seized.
Dean Cooke, lead officer for food at CTSI, said: “Social media has amplified the demand for American sweets, with influencers on platforms like TikTok showcasing these colourful products in ways that appeal to children and teenagers.
“While this drives seasonal sales, it also creates a dangerous market for items that fail to meet UK safety standards.
“Retailers must take responsibility to ensure compliance, and parents need to be vigilant in checking labels to protect their children from potential harm.
“Importers, by law, have to re-label products with a UK/GB address. If there is any problem with the food, customers and Trading Standards may need to contact a legally responsible person in this country.
“If food does not have a UK/GB address on the label, we would advise for them not to buy it.”
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