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The UK has urgently recalled several products from the Jolly Rancher candy brand produced by the Hershey Company due to the detection of potentially cancer-causing chemicals. According to a recent report from the UK's Food Safety Agency (FSA), some Jolly Rancher candies were found to contain excess levels of mineral oils: specifically, aromatic mineral oil (MOAH) and saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), which have been deemed to violate UK food safety regulations.

The FSA identified MOAH as a “genotoxic carcinogen,” indicating that long-term consumption could pose significant health risks. Following this revelation, the UK government quickly initiated an investigation into the affected products, warning the public against consuming them. Despite Hershey's commitment to collaborate with the UK government to remove these products from the market, some stock still remains available.

The specific Jolly Rancher products listed in the warning include:

• Jolly Rancher Hard Candy
• Jolly Rancher 'Misfits' Gummies
• Jolly Rancher Fruity 2 in 1
• Jolly Rancher Berry Gummies

The UK government and the FSA have launched enforcement actions, dispatching health officials to major supermarkets and stores to ensure that non-compliant candies are removed in a timely manner. The Hershey Company has reiterated that the safety and quality of its products remain paramount, and advised consumers to purchase their products from trusted sources to ensure safety.

While this incident has raised concerns about food safety among consumers, the FSA has emphasized that there are currently no immediate health threats associated with these candies, urging the public to pay attention to official communications and to carefully check the foods they buy.