Latest news with #JollyRanchers
Fox News
3 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Beloved American candy deemed 'unsafe to eat' in United Kingdom due to hidden chemicals
One of America's favorite candies has been shunned by authorities in the United Kingdom, who claim it is "unsafe to eat." The U.K.'s Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced a stern advisory against Jolly Rancher candies on June 11. The alert applies to all Jolly Rancher hard candies, as well as Jolly Rancher Misfits, Jolly Rancher Fruity 2 in 1s and Jolly Rancher Berry Gummies. The reason, the FSA claims, is that the candies contain "Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) and Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH)." The agency said the hydrocarbons make the candies "unsafe to eat and not compliant with U.K. laws." The FSA has instructed British consumers not to buy or eat the products. "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," the agency said. "These products contain mineral oil, which isn't allowed in food in the U.K. and may pose a food safety risk if consumed regularly over a sustained period of time." Although the alert did not mention the word "ban," the FSA said that it had "requested enforcing authorities in the U.K. to take action to remove products, to protect consumers." Jolly Ranchers were first introduced to the U.S. candy market in 1949. They come in a variety of flavors, including watermelon, cherry, blue raspberry, grape and green apple. The candies were acquired by the Hershey Company in 1996. Jolly Ranchers were first introduced to the U.S. candy market in 1949. Todd Scott, a spokesperson for the Hershey Company, headquartered in Pennsylvania, told Fox News Digital this week that the "safety and quality" of Jolly Rancher candies is the company's "first priority, and consumers can rest assured that our products are safe to enjoy." Scott went on, "As a global brand with a wide audience, we also recognize our products can sometimes be purchased in markets other than those for which they were originally produced. In such cases, we cannot guarantee that the products meet the regulatory requirements of the end market, which may differ from those of the U.S." Mineral oil hydrocarbons enter food "through environmental contamination, use of lubricants for machinery, release agents, processing aids, food or feed additives and migration from food contact materials," according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The negative health impacts of mineral oil hydrocarbons can vary widely, according to the European agency. "MOAH may act as genotoxic carcinogens (they can damage DNA, the genetic material of cells, and may cause cancer), while some MOSH are known to accumulate in the liver and lymphoid system," the EFSA's website states. The FDA also regulates the presence of hydrocarbons. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, mineral oil "may be safely used as a component of nonfood articles intended for use in contact with food," if it meets certain rules. Scott told Fox News Digital that the Hershey Company is "continuing to work closely with the FSA in the United Kingdom on these important issues" and that it looks forward to "bringing Jolly Rancher products back to established retailers soon."
New York Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Disgraced ex NJ. sen Bob Menendez to report to prison after bribery conviction
Bob Menendez is about to spend his 'golden' years behind bars. The disgraced New Jersey Democrat was due to report at a federal prison in Pennsylvania Tuesday to begin his 11-year prison sentence for a corrupt scheme that earned him the moniker 'Gold Bar Bob.' Menendez, 71, was ordered to surrender at FCI Schuykill — a two-and-a-half-hour drive from his Englewood Cliffs home — by 2:30 p.m. following his conviction for selling out his powerful Senate post to enrich himself with gold bars, cash and other bribes. 5 The disgraced ex politician was sentenced to 11 years in prison after a jury convicted him of a sprawling bribery scheme. Gregory P. Mango The once-powerful pol was sentenced in January, but was allowed to push off his prison term's start date after he argued he needed to support his wife, Nadine Menendez, during her trial on similar bribery and corruption charges. He's also made a bid to score a last-minute pardon or sentence commutation from President Trump — but unless that happens Tuesday, Menendez will be calling the Keystone State prison home. It's likely the ex-head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will angle for a spot at the lockup's minimum security camp, which allows its 225 male inmates more freedom of movement and has less staff. FCI Schuykill also houses another 984 male inmates at a larger medium security facility. Once inside, Menendez will be able to buy items like $8.55 Head and Shoulders shampoo, $13 Sensodyne toothpaste and $4.20 Jolly Ranchers candies from the commissary. He'll be able to have four visits per month and can send and receive letters and postcards, according to the prison's website. 5 Bob and Nadine Menendez seen near his home in Englewood on June 16, 2025. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post 5 Menendez was spotted running errands a day before reporting to prison. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post The crooked pol will become the lockup's most famous inmate, though other notable residents include Gurmeet Singh Dhinsa, a former gas-station tycoon dubbed the 'Gas Station Gotti' by The Post after he was convicted of ordering murders in a bid to keep secret a plot to rip off customers by tampering with pumps. Menendez, who led the Senate committee tasked with approving massive sums of lethal military aid, was convicted by a Manhattan federal jury on July 16, 2024, of taking bribes and of serving as an illegal foreign agent for Egypt and Qatar. He was found guilty of doling out favors to foreign governments while go-betweens showered him and his wife with cash, gold bars, a Mercedes, checks for a no-show job and payouts to a sham 'consulting' firm. 5 The Pennsylvania lockup has a minimum-security camp that Menendez will likely be angling to stay in. NY Post 5 The facility also boasts a larger medium-security prison, where inmates can buy items like Jolly Rancher candies from the commissary. FBI agents found $486,471 in cash spread out all over the Menendez couple's house, including inside his official government jacket. The feds also discovered 13 gold bars worth $150,000 tucked inside a safe in the couple's bedroom. 'Somewhere along the way, you became, I'm sorry to say, a corrupt politician,' Judge Sidney Stein told the pilloried pol at his sentencing. Nadine Menendez, 58, was also convicted of her role in the crooked scheme and is set to be sentenced in September. She was spotted Monday getting picked up by her hubby at the Englewood Cliffs home before running an errand at what appeared to be a credit union.
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Irish businesses to comply with UK Jolly Ranchers recall amid cancer concerns
Irish companies that imported Jolly Ranchers from the UK are required to comply with a product recall instigated amid concerns of DNA damage and increased risk of cancer, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has said. The UK Food Safety Agency issued a food alert last week for Jolly Ranchers products due to the presence of two ingredients in the which it said are 'unsafe' and 'may present a risk to health'. The UK regulatory said that the Hershey Company , which owns the Jolly Rancher brand, 'has taken action to remove these products from the UK market'. The recall applies to Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, 'Misfits' Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and the brand's Berry Gummies, which are available for sale in Ireland. READ MORE Mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), and mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) make the products 'unsafe to eat and not compliant with UK laws' the UK food authority said. 'MOAH can cause damage to DNA,' it said, noting it '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.' These substances are not against Irish or European Union laws, but their Irish counterparts said 'discussions are ongoing at EU level regarding the management of these substances', 'There is no harmonised legislation in place at this time that would provide a definitive legal basis for a withdrawal or recall based solely on their presence,' the FSAI in a statement to The Irish Times. It said: 'Should any food business in Ireland source Jolly Rancher products from UK suppliers, and those products are subject to the FSA UK recall, then any impacted Irish business must comply with their suppliers' recall.' Businesses that comply with the recall should also notify the FSAI, the food safety body said, but noted it had not been notified of any companies that had partaken in the recall by Monday. The FSAI said it 'has not been notified by FSA UK that any of the products subject to its recall have been distributed into the Irish market' and that it has contacted the UK body to get further information on any potential exports of the goods into Ireland and on the legal basis for the recall. '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,' the UK FSA said. 'If you have bought any of the above products, do not eat them. Instead, dispose of them at home.'
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Iconic US candy eaten by millions banned in UK over fears of cancer-causing ingredients
Health officials in the UK have taken Jolly Ranchers off shelves over fears of cancer-causing ingredients. UK-based watchdog Food Standards Agency said affected candies, made by Hershey, include Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, Jolly Rancher Misfits Gummies, Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1 and Jolly Rancher Berry Gummies. The candies were banned for containing mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) and mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), petroleum-based additives that usually enter foods from processing equipment. They're most often found in vegetable oils, candy, chips, cereals, canned fish and baby food. Both substances are prohibited in UK food production over fears they can accumulate in the liver and lymphatic system, damaging DNA and increasing the risk of cancer. All of the Jolly Rancher products now banned in the UK contain mineral oils in their US versions. The products also lead the US hard candy market with $160million in sales every year. Hershey told UK regulators it has taken action to remove affected brands from British markets. However, there are no restrictions against these additives in the US. Jolly Rancher products in the US also contain artificial colors like Red 40, Yellows 5 and 6 and Blue 1, which are all prohibited in the UK due to links to hyperactivity, migraines and cancer. The FSA said after the ban was announced Wednesday in the UK: '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 agency said while 'there should be no immediate casue for concern' for UK customers who have eaten the affected products, they should not continue to buy them. A Hershey spokesperson told USA Today Thursday that its products are 'safe to enjoy' and that because it is a global brand, customers can sometimes purchase products in markets other than those where they were produced. In this case, even though Hershey is American, its products have found their way to the UK. The spokesperson said: 'In such cases, we cannot guarantee that the products meet the regulatory requirements of the end market, which may differ from those of the US. 'We encourage consumers to purchase all Hershey products from established retailers to ensure product integrity and compliance. 'In the meantime, we're continuing to work closely with the FSA in the United Kingdom on these important issues and look forward to bringing Jolly Rancher products back to established retailers soon.' US health officials have not issued any guidance for American consumers. MOAH are considered genotoxic carcinogens, meaning they can induce cancers by directly attacking DNA, even at low levels. This increases the risk of healthy cells mutating into cancer cells. Some types of MOSH, meanwhile, have been shown to accumulate in the liver and lymphatic system, based on animal studies. However, it's unclear if similar effects can be seen in humans. All of the Jolly Rancher products included in the ban also include artificial food dyes like Red 40, Yellows 5 and 6 and Blue 1. Despite being prohibited in the UK, these are allowed in the US. However, health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has announced plans to outlaw the colors. All of these dyes have been linked to hyperactivity, migraines and some forms of cancer.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Some Jolly Rancher sweets unsafe to eat, FSA says
A number of products from a brand of US sweets are "unsafe to eat" and contain ingredients which could damage DNA and increase the risk of cancer, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned. UK businesses and consumers are being urged to stop buying and selling the Jolly Ranchers products, owned by US company Hershey. The FSA says they contain chemical compounds - mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) and mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) - which are "not compliant with UK laws". The products pose a safety risk if consumed regularly over time but there is "no immediate cause for concern, as [the] food safety risk is low", the agency adds. In a food alert published on Wednesday evening, the FSA said: "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." MOAH and MOSH are used in confectionary to prevent stickiness and create a glossy appearance. According to the agency, The Hershey Company has been working with the UK government body to remove the affected Jolly Rancher products from the UK market since 2024, but some businesses in Britain have continued to import the products. The affected products are: Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, Jolly Rancher 'Misfits' Gummies, Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Jolly Ranchers Berry Gummies. The food agency is advising people who have any of the listed products to not eat them and dispose of them at home. If consumers have any concerns, they are being asked to notify the Trading Standards department or environmental health department in the local authority they made the purchase from. The agency said it was asking enforcement authorities to make "immediate contact" with businesses which had been supplied with or received any of the products, and take action to ensure they were withdrawn from the market.
