Posted on Wednesday 4th December 2024
Photos of some of the seized items
Trading Standards officers at Staffordshire County Council have issued a warning to parents about unauthorised additives in some imported American sweets, snacks and fizzy drinks.
As Christmas approaches, American confectionery has become a must-have stocking filler, with children and teenagers driving demand. These brightly coloured sweets, snacks and drinks are heavily promoted by social media influencers.
While some American candy and drinks can be sold in the UK, many products fail to meet UK safety and legal standards, containing unauthorised additives with known health risks or lacking proper allergen declarations.
In Staffordshire, officers have been leading efforts to tackle the issue and in a recent pilot project funded by the Food Standards Agency, have seized 3,700 items valued at around £10,000 from local shops. These products, often manufactured for foreign markets, contain unauthorised additives such as:
- Mineral oil and bleached flour
- Yellow 6 (E110): Found in corn-based snacks, linked to hyperactivity in children.
- EDTA: An additive prohibited in drinks, linked to developmental issues in animal studies.
- Carrageenan: Used in jelly cups, posing a choking hazard for children.
Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council, said:
"Our Trading Standards team works tirelessly to ensure that food sold in Staffordshire complies with safety standards.
“During this pilot project, we were alarmed to find over 3,700 unsafe items on sale, many of which contained unauthorised ingredients and were targeted at children.
“These items are often poorly labelled and can contain harmful additives, posing serious public health concerns. Parents need to stay alert and avoid products with unclear labelling, especially during the festive season."
Dean Cooke, Lead Officer for Food at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute added:
"Social media has amplified the demand for American sweets, with influencers on platforms like TikTok showcasing these colourful products in ways that appeal to children and teenagers.
“While this drives seasonal sales, it also creates a dangerous market for items that fail to meet UK safety standards. Retailers must take responsibility to ensure compliance, and parents need to be vigilant in checking labels to protect their children from potential harm.
“Importers, by law, have to re-label products with a UK/GB address. If there is any problem with the food, customers and Trading Standards may need to contact a legally responsible person in this country. If food does not have a UK/GB address on the label, we would advise them not to buy it."
Consumers should check labelling carefully. Items labelled with American weight measurements (ounces, fluid ounces) are likely imports.
Anyone with concerns about the safety of products can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08082231133.