The deadly truth behind illegal sweets being flogged to YOUR kids at the local corner shop thanks to viral TikTok craze

The Sun

29-04-2025

WITH blaringly bright packaging that leaps off the shelves, it's impossible for any child to ignore these alluring sweets found in corner shops across Britain.
But look a little closer and the sugary snacks hide a dangerous secret that can catch out even the most cautious of parents.
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A Sun investigation has found that American sweets and drinks containing dangerous illegal ingredients are widely available to buy on British high streets.
Candy and pop from the US including Jolly Ranchers, Warheads Cubes, Kool Aid and Sunny D are banned in the UK as they can cause an array of terrifying - and, in some cases, potentially deadly - health problems.
They contain a cocktail of harmful chemicals such as mineral oil, used in cleaning products and cosmetics, and illicit colour additives.
The banned ingredients have been linked to cancer, organ damage, fertility problems, hyperactivity, and reduced immune function.
But despite this, we found a variety of illegal American sweets for sale in convenience stores in a major UK city, even in the wake of a recent crackdown.
It comes as regulators warn retailers are looking to cash in on a TikTok trend of 'candy hauls', with kids flocking to social media to taste test imported products.
Horrified shopkeepers selling the banned goods told us they bought the confectionery from reputable wholesalers and had no idea it was illegal this side of the Atlantic.
However, concerned parents say they are "terrified" the dangerous sweets remain on sale and insist it should not be down to them to research the potentially harmful ingredients readily available on the shelves of high street stores.
Last week, environmental health officers in Newcastle seized nearly 4,500 individual items with a street value of approximately £6,000 from 30 small retail shops and wholesalers.
But just days later, our reporter found illegal sweets were still on sale at newsagents and corner shops.
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The most dangerous item we managed to purchase was a pack of Jolly Ranchers Tropical Flavour for £3.99 from ST NEWS Newgate in Newcastle city centre.
This contains a horrifying mix of banned ingredients including dyes red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6 and mineral oil.
The shop was also selling Warhead Cubes Sour & Sweet Fruity Chew Candy, which contains illegal colour additives yellow 6, yellow 5, and red 40.
Just yards away at McGrains, on Grainger Street, we picked up a can of Warheads Sour! Green Apple Soda, for £1.99, whose ingredients includes yellow 5.
Further down the road, at News Express, we bought a packet of Jolly Ranchers Fruity 2 in 1 for £2.99, containing red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6 and mineral oil.
The most bizarre product we purchased was a Van Holten's Sour Sis, which is a pickled cucumber in a pouch.
This lists banned yellow 5 as an ingredient, and claims to contain no calories. We bought it from Central News in Newcastle for £3.99.
Sweets crackdown
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Nonetheless, the popularity of illegally imported candy extends far beyond the northern city, with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute issuing a stark national warning last December.
Dean Cooke, lead officer for food at CTSI, said: " 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."
Over recent months, illegal sweets have also recently been seized in Manchester, Middlesbrough, Staffordshire and Westminster.
All councils have issued warnings to parents to be on high alert for the banned American candy.
However, some versions of the illegal sweets we found are manufactured for sale in the UK, and are safe to eat.
'Terrified' parents
When The Sun spoke to shoppers about imported candy, few parents were aware of the potential dangers and recent warnings.
Georgette Bellamy, 33, a full-time mum-of-two, said: "It's really shocking.
"One of my children has ADHD and those sweets could have a huge impact on him.
"It shouldn't be left to the parents to research what is in these items. It's terrifying."
Marketing executive Alex Patel, 39, is a mum of two young children.
She said: "What's disturbing is how these dangerous sweets are clearly marketed towards kids, with the bright colours and pictures."
Her nephew Finn Daniels, aged 22 months, was fascinated by the eye-catching packaging and eager to try the sweets.
'I've been naive'
After being approached by our reporter, shopkeepers too appeared genuinely shocked they were selling illegal candy.
The owner of Metro Express Central had been flogging Warheads L'il Worms containing yellow 5, yellow 6 and red 40.
The man, who didn't want to be named, said: "We buy them from reputable wholesalers.
"I've been naïve and trusted that everything is legal, without considering what is in the product.
"I will stop buying them. The last thing I want to do is get in trouble."
Samarth Gakhar is the owner of News Express in the city and similarly claimed to have bought the banned sweets from wholesalers.
He said: "We were unaware they were illegal. I will remove them from the shelves.
"I am shocked to learn of the health implications.
"It's really easy to sell these illegal sweets without knowing you are doing it.
"I am paying VAT on the orders. You assume everything is above board.
"When you buy online, you can't check the ingredients.
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"I don't eat them myself but people go crazy for American sweets.
"They're very popular. That's why I buy them to sell in my shops.
"I will be very careful in the future."
Pavan Mahipathi, the owner of Gian Supermarket, was selling Jolly Rancher Original, which contains mineral oil.
He said: "I did not realise. The wholesalers are still selling the sweets.
"I am really shocked to learn about this. We will stop selling them."
How to spot illegal snacks in the UK
Additives are only allowed in the UK if they have been tested and proved to be safe for the intended use in a particular type of food or drink or if there is a technological need for use.
A US product that hasn't been approved would list nutritional information as 'Nutrition Facts' and carry an American company name and address.
If it was legal in the UK, it would list a UK subsidiary of that company and often would include further UK-compliant labelling placed over the original information in the form of a sticker.
Another way for people to check whether goods are American imports is to look at how weight is recorded.
In the UK, grams and millilitres are used while in America, it is fluid ounce and ounce.
The owner of Central News claimed he purchased the Van Holten's Sour Sis cucumbers from a wholesaler after a request from an American customer.
Ibrahim Beshir said: "I bought around five or six. There are three kinds of flavours.
"I had no idea this was illegal. A lot of shops sell them. In the future, I will not risk my business by selling these in my shop."
Cllr Alex Hay, deputy leader of Newcastle City Council, said: "Protecting the public, especially children, from harm is our top priority. It's alarming to see sweets and drinks that are clearly unhealthy being targeted at young people.
"Much of their popularity is fuelled by social media, but behind the hype are serious risks. Some of these products have been linked to long-term health conditions, including fertility problems and colon cancer.
"Businesses should take this as a warning: if you're caught selling harmful products, we will prosecute you."
Wholesalers Bookers, Costco, American Fizz, and United have been contacted for comment.