Thousands of products seized in UK crackdown on illegal American candy
Thousands of US sweets and drinks have been seized for containing banned additives linked to serious health risks
If your child loves brightly coloured sweets from American candy shops, it’s worth taking a second look before you buy them.
Environmental health officers have just confiscated thousands of imported sweets and drinks from UK stores — and some of the ingredients inside them are banned here for good reason.
4,000+ American sweets and drinks pulled from UK shelves
In a major raid, officers visited 30 small retail shops and wholesalers in Newcastle, removing 4,467 non-compliant items with an estimated street value of £6,000. The haul, which will now be destroyed, included popular US imports like:
- Jolly Ranchers and Lemonheads – containing mineral oil, an ingredient banned in the UK due to cancer risks
- Starry, Kool Aid, Mountain Dew, Mirinda Orange and Sunny D – all containing Calcium Disodium EDTA, which is banned in UK drinks
In total, around 5,000 cans and bottles of brightly coloured drinks were confiscated.
This is the first time Newcastle’s environmental health team has undertaken such a targeted seizure of American sweets, but authorities say similar operations are happening across the UK.
What’s the actual risk?
According to UK regulators, many of these additives have been linked to serious health concerns, including:
- Hyperactivity and behavioural issues in children
- Organ damage (kidney, heart, liver)
- Fertility problems
- Cancer, including colon cancer
- Reduced immune function and nutrient deficiencies
“Much of their popularity is fuelled by social media, but behind the hype are serious risks,” warned Councillor Alex Hay, Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council.
“Some of these products have been linked to long-term health conditions, including fertility problems and colon cancer.”
These are the ingredients to look out for
Many of the banned or restricted ingredients in these sweets may sound like alphabet soup – but they can have real consequences for children’s health. Here’s what parents need to know:
Illegal in UK foods and drinks:
- Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) – linked to reproductive and organ toxicity
- Erythrosine (E127 / Red 3) – banned due to potential cancer risks
- Mineral Oil – carries contamination risks; not approved for food use
Illegal unless a warning is displayed (often missing on imports):
- E110 (Sunset Yellow)
- E104 (Quinoline Yellow)
- E122 (Carmoisine)
- E129 (Allura Red)
- E102 (Tartrazine)
- E124 (Ponceau 4R)
These can cause hyperactivity and behavioural problems in some children.
Banned in drinks (but allowed in food):
Calcium Disodium EDTA (E385) – animal studies link it to fertility and cancer risks
“These sweets are not harmless treats”
Councillor Alex Hay, Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council, emphasised the concern:
Protecting the public, especially children, from harm is our top priority. It’s alarming to see sweets and drinks that are clearly unhealthy being targeted at young people. Much of their popularity is fuelled by social media, but behind the hype are serious risks.
He added that many of the products seized had been linked to long-term health issues, including fertility problems and colon cancer.
What parents need to know
If your child is buying or being gifted American sweets — often found in trendy sweet shops or online — here are a few key things to keep in mind:
- Check the label: If the product doesn’t have clear ingredient lists or UK-approved packaging, give it a miss.
- Be wary of bright colours: Many of the artificial dyes linked to behavioural issues are the ones that give sweets their super-bright colours.
- Stick to reputable retailers: Buy sweets and drinks from trusted UK shops that follow food safety rules.
- Talk to your child: If they’re being influenced by social media trends, have a chat about why some of these treats might not be safe — even if they look fun.
Are all American sweets unsafe?
Not all American sweets are illegal or unsafe — but many of the ultra-processed ones targeted at kids do include ingredients not permitted here.
The problem arises when businesses import products without checking if they meet UK health regulations.
The recent crackdown is part of a broader UK-wide effort to keep illegal food imports off the shelves.
Shops caught selling banned products could face prosecution, and local councils are stepping up checks on imported sweets and drinks.
Parents are being urged to stay informed — because when it comes to our children’s health, knowing what’s in their snacks really does matter.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.