Banned ingredients, which could raise the risk of cancer, have been found in American sweets brands sold in UK shops.
A dozen sweets, cereals and fizzy drinks were bought by MailOnline from newsagents, souvenir shops and specialty American sweet shops from across central London.
We checked the labels to find out if any of these easy to purchase treats contained unorthrorised additives and found brands including Swedish Fish and Lemonheads, contained illegal ingredients.
White mineral oil which can raise the risk of cancer and controversial additives, including Yellow 5, which requires a specific warning label in the UK, were among the ingredients found.
The Food standard Agency (FSA) has admitted there is a ‘problem’ with businesses selling imported American sweets and advises people to ‘avoid buying’ these types of sweets.
MailOnline checked the labels to find out if any of these easy to purchase treats contained any unorthrorised additives, some products did
A dozen sweets, cereals and fizzy drinks were bought by MailOnline from newsagents, souvenir shops and specialty American sweet shops from across central London
Bladder cancer risk from Swedish Fish ingredient
Mineral oil, a common ingredient in baby lotions and cosmetics, can also be found in sweets imported from the US.
In fact, MailOnline can reveal the ingredient can be found in Swedish Fish and Lemonhead sweets, which appear on a host of confectionary shelves across the country.
Out of the products purchased by MailOnline the Swedish Fish in tropical flavour and blue raspberry lemonade and Chewy Lemonheads in fruit mix flavour contained the banned ingredient.
Used to to increase the shelf life of products and create a glossy, smooth coating, mineral oil use has long been banned in the UK.
While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the additive is safe, studies suggest the substance, which is derived from petroleum, could raise the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer and bladder cancer.
White mineral oil was found in Swedish Fish and Lemonhead sweets sold in American sweet shops across London
The FSA told MailOnline that the white mineral oil found in these particular sweets is not authorised.
In fact, some of these products have already been subject to a number of withdrawals because they contain banned ingredients.
The FSA added that they have had incidents where US confectionery has been withdrawn because the levels have been excessive.
Lemonheads… with banned titanium dioxide
Used widely as a whitening agent for sweets, pastries and even cosmetic products in the US , Titanium Dioxide or E171, can be found in Skittles and Starbursts sold in America.
It’s been banned from being added to food across Europe and Northern Ireland.
But MailOnline can reveal it is still in foods imported sweets sold in the UK.
Titanium dioxide is listed as an ingredient in Swedish Fish mini tropical flavour and Chewy lemonheads in fruit mix flavour, sold in American sweet shops in London.
However, the ingredient isn’t banned in the UK.
But the safety of this additive has been subject to an ongoing evaluation by the Committee on Toxicity of chemicals in food.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as a Group 2B carcinogen that could potentially pose a threat to humans when inhaled.
The designation was based on limited evidence showing that high concentrations of powdered and ultrafine titanium dioxide dust caused respiratory tract cancer in rats exposed by inhalation.
Still, the bulk of research concludes that the amount consumed, from food is so low that it poses no threat to human health.
Fruit Loops food dye linked to hyperactivity in kids
Most of the imported sweets, fizzy drinks and cereal found in American sweet shops in London do contain several controversial ingredients which are thought to cause hyperactivity in children.
All food additives have an E number, which means the ingredient has passed safety tests and are approved for use in the EU.
But research funded by the FSA revealed there are six food colours that are closely linked to hyperactivity in children.
Those colours are: E102 (tartrazine) also known as Yellow 5, E104 (quinoline yellow), E110 (sunset yellow FCF) also known as Yellow 6, E122 (carmoisine), E124 (ponceau 4R) and E129 (allura red) also known as Red 40.
In particular Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, were found in Nerds gummy clusters, Mike and Ike berry blast, Jolly Rancher gummies sours, Swedish Fish mini tropical, Chewy Lemonhead fruit mix, Hot Tamales fierce cinnamon, Warheads wedgies, Froot Loops and Fruity Pebbles cereal.
Most of the imported sweets, fizzy drinks and cereal found in American sweet shops in London do contain several controversial ingredients which are thought to cause hyperactivity in children
Food items that contain these ingredients must must include the mandatory warning: ‘may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children’, according to the FSA. However, the products purchased by MailOnline, failed to declare this
While these food colourings are not banned outright in the UK, food items that contain these ingredients must include a warning label that detail the risks associated with the dyes.
The mandatory warning should read: ‘may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children’, according to the FSA.
However, the products purchased by MailOnline, failed to declare this.
The NHS advises that if your child is overactive and struggles to concentrate, cutting down on these colours in their diet may help.
Mountain Dew… with a dose of ‘unsafe’ vegetable oil
As of this week the FDA banned the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) – which has been linked to a slew of health issues — after declaring it unsafe.
Starting August 2, brands will have one year to remove BVO from products, change recipes, and clear out any inventory that still contains the ingredient.
It’s already banned Japan, India, the European Union and in the UK.
BVO was previously an ingredient in Mountain Dew items sold in the US. Starting August 2, brands will have one year to remove BVO from products, change recipes, and clear out any inventory that still contains the ingredient
This comes after PepsiCo, under pressure from consumer advocates, eliminated BVO from most of their beverages in 2022.
It’s used in small amounts to prevent flavors from separating and floating to the top, mainly gives citrusy sodas their bright colors and smooth texture.
The bulk of health concerns surrounding BVO stem from the presence of bromine. Unlike some other additives, it is not designated a carcinogen.
However, BVO has been linked to headaches, memory loss, impaired balance and thyroid problems.
Additionally, inhaling bromine itself can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs, as well as the mucous membranes that line the inside of the mouth, throat, stomach, and lungs.
BVO was previously an ingredient in Mountain Dew items sold in the US.
However, in this instance, BVO was not listed as an ingredient on the back of the bottle of Mountain Dew Blue Shock purchased by this website.
Adam Hardgrave, Head of Additives at the FSA said: ‘We know there is a problem with businesses selling imported American-style confectionery and are working with Trading Standards to address concerns around the food safety risk of allergens not displayed on labels as well as some of these products containing additives not authorised for sale in the UK.
‘You should avoid buying these types of products if they look slightly different from your regular brands, state the weight in non-UK measurements or if they have ingredients listed using American terms.
‘Please get in touch with your Trading Standards if you see these products on sale.
‘If the FSA identifies a food safety risk with these products, we will take action to remove them from sale and inform consumers through our alerts service which can be signed up to at food.gov.uk.’
