A number of imported fizzy and drinks from America contain illegal and banned ingredients in the UK, according to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)
An urgent warning has been issued after popular American sweets and drinks with links to cancer and heart problems are “flooding the UK”.
A number of imported fizzy and drinks from America contain illegal and banned ingredients in the UK, according to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI). This has prompted Manchester City Council’s Environmental Health team to issue an updated warning, urging people not to buy the products which include Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, Fanta Pineapple, Mtn Dew, Swedish Fish, Prime Hydration, Cheetos Crunchy and Twizzlers Strawberry Twists and Rainbow Twists.
The warning reads: “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.”
The urgent alert says some of the imported sweets and drinks contain additives and ingredients that are banned in the UK because they are linked to hyperactivity, behavioural problems, cancer kidney and other organ damage and heart problems, Manchester Evening News reported.
Some of the banned ingredients can also make an insulin response less affective, cause vomiting and diarrhoea, headaches, dizziness and copper deficiency. The warning has revealed which of the imported products have been found to contain the banned additives and ingredients – although some of the brands do have products intended for the UK market which comply with current legislation, the alert said.
Anyone buying the products listed should look out for ingredients to check if the product is safe to consume and meets the UK guidelines.
CTSI Chief Executive John Herriman 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.
“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.
“The increase in demand means importers are sending these through our ports and borders in the millions, and these are then being widely distributed and ending up in retail stores and in the hands of children.
“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:
• Brominated vegetable oil (BVO)
• E127, erythrosine (shown on US products as Red 3)
• Mineral oil – this carries the risk of contamination with other compounds that are capable of forming cancers
• Bleached flour.
