Jolly Ranchers Hit With 'Do Not Eat' Warning in U.K.

Consumers have been advised against eating a popular American candy after a health agency determined that the beloved sweet treat is "of toxicological concern."

According to a report from The Independent, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the United Kingdom has issued a warning to consumers about an ingredient in Jolly Rancher candies – a beloved hard candy owned by the Hershey Company.

The FSA warns that Jolly Rancher candies contain mineral oils, which include mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (Moah) and mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (Mosh). These chemical compounds are added to confectionery items to prevent stickiness and to create a glossy appearance, like that of the Jolly Rancher candies.

However, the FSA warns that when consumed regularly over time, these mineral oils may pose health risks, especially in younger consumers. The agency warned of cancer risk and the possibility of damaged DNA.

“Consumption of the affected sweets is of toxicological concern, especially in younger age groups and where consumers eat a lot of the products or eat them regularly," the FSA warned in an alert published Wednesday, according to The Independent.

“Moah can cause damage to DNA and has the potential to increase the risk of cancer, particularly if consumed in high quantities over a prolonged period of time. Moah is a genotoxic carcinogen, therefore no exposure is without risk to human health.”

The Independent reports that Hershey has been working with the FSA to remove all Jolly Rancher products from the UK market since 2024, though they continue to be imported despite these efforts.

The FSA has a simple warning for anybody who has purchased Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, "Misfits" Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies: "do not eat them."

“If you have bought any of the above products, do not eat them," the FSA warned.

“Instead, dispose of them at home. If you are concerned, notify your Trading Standards department or environmental health department in the local authority you purchased it.

“For consumers, don’t buy them, and if you’ve eaten these products, there should be no immediate cause for concern, as food safety risk is low, but don’t eat any more.”

It's worth noting that the Food and Drug Administration in the United States has not issued a warning about any health risks associated with the candies, and they are still permitted to be sold in the United States.

Still, given this information from another health agency in another country, American consumers might still be a bit wary of consuming the popular candy going forward.