A number of sweets and fizzy drinks imported from America contain illegal and banned ingredients in the UK, according to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)
An urgent warning has been issued as popular American sweets and drinks linked to cancer and heart problems are “flooding the UK”.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has revealed that a number of imported fizzy drinks from America contain ingredients that are banned in the UK.
Concern is so high that Manchester City Council’s Environmental Health team have issued an updated warning. They are urging people not to buy products such as Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, Fanta Pineapple, Mtn Dew, Swedish Fish, Prime Hydration, Cheetos Crunchy and Twizzlers Strawberry Twists and Rainbow Twists.
The warning states: “The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has issued a warning that imported sweets and fizzy drinks with known links to hyperactivity and cancer have flooded the UK. Here in Manchester we’re taking this very seriously, and the Council’s Environmental Health team are seizing illegal products from local shops. We’re also urging you not to buy these products for children.
“We’re working hard to protect consumers by removing these products from local shops and educating shopkeepers about the dangers. If you see a product with one of the banned ingredients, please report it to contact@manchester.gov.uk.”
An urgent health warning has been issued as some imported sweets and drinks sold in the UK have been found to contain banned additives linked to a host of serious health issues, including hyperactivity, behavioural problems, cancer, kidney damage, and heart problems, as reported by Manchester Evening News.
Some of these illicit ingredients could also impair insulin response, trigger vomiting and diarrhoea, headaches, dizziness, and copper deficiency.
The alert has identified specific imported products harbouring these dangerous additives, although it notes that some brands do offer UK-compliant goods. Shoppers are advised to scrutinise ingredient lists to ensure safety and adherence to UK standards.
CTSI Chief Executive John Herriman has previously said: “The UK prides itself on high food standards but this very much relies on Trading Standards ensuring that what is on sale complies with the law.”
He also highlighted the role of social media in boosting the popularity of these risky items: “Trading Standards work extremely hard to protect the public by removing dangerous products from sale, but the popularity of these items is being increased by videos on social media platforms, such as TikTok.”
Herriman warned of the surge in demand leading to mass imports and distribution, putting these items into retail stores and, worryingly, into children’s hands.
“We ask that all persons placing these products on the market, including the suppliers and retailers take their responsibilities seriously in this matter and urgently remove items from sale that contain unauthorised ingredients. We also urge parents to be aware. If shop owners are unsure of what items are safe to sell, they should contact their local Trading Standards service for support and advice.”
Banned ingredients to look out for include: brominated vegetable oil (BVO), E127 erythrosine (listed as Red 3 on US products), mineral oil—which has the potential risk of contamination with compounds that can cause cancer—and bleached flour.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.