America’s Favorite Candy Is Now Banned in the UK — Authorities Deem It ‘Unsafe to Eat’

Despite the FSA’s deliberation about the presence of toxic ingredients in the Jolly Ranchers candies, Hershey has refuted the claims about the popular snack. “The safety and quality of Jolly Rancher is our first priority, and consumers can rest assured that our products are safe to enjoy,” said a representative for the manufacturer in a statement to PEOPLE. The official statement explained their non-compliance with the UK market as a difference in market needs. They insinuated that complying with every other market while maintaining the guidelines of their own was rather a challenge; however, they prioritized their market over others.

“As a global brand with a wide audience, we also recognize our products can sometimes be purchased in markets other than those for which they were originally produced. In such cases, we cannot guarantee that the products meet the regulatory requirements of the end market, which may differ from those of the US.” However, the European Food Safety Authority states that MOAH can act as genotoxic carcinogens, causing DNA damage and cancer, while MOSH accumulates in the liver and lymphoid system. The FSA advised anyone who may have consumed the product not to panic, as the product’s food safety risk is low and not an immediate cause of concern.