Warning issued for UK households buying six sweet items

The warning first came from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), which said that demand for American confectionery was being driven by influencers on social media platforms.

A warning has been issued to UK households buying sweets over the risk of illegaly imported sweets “flooding UK high streets”. The warning first came from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), which said that demand for American confectionery was being driven by influencers on social media platforms.

Manchester city council said it was taking the issue “very seriously” and that its environmental health team had been seizing illegal products from shops. “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,” the CTSI chief executive, John Herriman, said.

“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 also urge parents to be aware,” he said. “If shop owners are unsure of what items are safe to sell, they should contact their local trading standards service for support and advice.”

“We’re working hard to protect consumers by removing these products from local shops and educating shopkeepers about the dangers,” a spokesperson for Manchester City Council has also said. “If you see a product with one of the banned ingredients, please report it.”

The banned additives have been linked to various health issues. These include hyperactivity, cancer, kidney and other organ damage, and reduced immune function, according to the Guardian. Products seen on shelves and found to contain banned additives include Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, Fanta Pineapple, Swedish Fish, Sunny D, Prime Hydration, Cheetos Crunchy.