London – June 16, 2025 — UK food safety authorities have issued an urgent warning to consumers to avoid specific confectionery products from The Hershey Company and certain Dubai-style chocolates, citing violations of food safety regulations and potential health risks.
According to a joint advisory from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS), several Jolly Rancher products currently being sold in the UK contain mineral oil, a substance prohibited in food products under UK law. These include Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) and Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH), which regulators say may pose a risk to human health if consumed regularly over time.
Toxicological Concerns in Jolly Rancher Sweets
Although exposure levels are thought to be low, MOAH is of particular concern due to its classification as a genotoxic carcinogen—a substance that can damage DNA and potentially cause cancer. Experts warn that no level of exposure can be considered entirely safe.
The following Hershey’s products are affected:
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candy
- Jolly Rancher Misfits Gummies
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1
- Jolly Rancher Berry Gummies
All pack sizes and best-before dates are included in the advisory.
Despite Hershey’s removal of non-compliant products from the UK market in 2024 and its decision to cease further distribution to the region, third-party businesses have continued to import and sell the affected products, prompting the FSA to take enforcement action.
Retailers and distributors have been instructed to:
- Immediately stop selling the affected items
- Withdraw products from the market
- Conduct recalls where applicable
- Cease importation and distribution
Dubai Chocolate Faces Scrutiny Over Labeling and Contamination
In a related development, the FSA has also flagged concerns about Dubai-style chocolates being sold in the UK, some of which lack mandatory ingredient lists, allergen warnings, and labeling in English, making them non-compliant with UK food laws.
While most of these products are safe, the FSA notes that some contain banned additives or undeclared allergens, including sesame, and have been linked to incidents of chemical contamination and mold toxins such as aflatoxins. In one case, Salmonella was detected in samples of imported chocolate.
The products in question are often sourced from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, and are sold both online and through small retail outlets across the UK. The FSA is currently conducting additional sampling to assess the full scale of the issue.
“Ingredient labels are vital for consumers to make informed, safe choices. Incorrect or missing information can have devastating consequences,” said Simon Williams, Chief Executive of Anaphylaxis UK.
Nine incidents involving Dubai chocolate have been reported via the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) over the past six months, primarily due to undeclared allergens and contamination.
Authorities Urge Vigilance and Responsible Purchasing
Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Adviser to the FSA, advised consumers to be cautious when buying imported confectionery:
“If you’re looking to buy Dubai-style chocolate, we advise sticking with trusted UK retailers. These outlets are more likely to sell products manufactured to local safety standards.”
Consumers are reminded that UK-compliant products must include:
- A full list of ingredients with allergens clearly highlighted
- Product weight (in grams)
- Best-before or use-by date
- Name and address of the UK or EU business or importer
The FSA and FSS are working closely with enforcement agencies to remove non-compliant products from circulation and ensure public safety.
