Food alert for actionFSAUpdated
Jolly Rancher products manufactured by The Hershey Company withdrawn over a food safety concern
Two additional products have been included in Update 1. These products are Jolly Rancher Filled Pops and Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried Candy. This Food Alert for Action replaces earlier versions of FSA-FAFA-02-2025. Jolly Rancher products listed below contain Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons, (MOAH), making them unsafe to eat. Food businesses who import these products are advised to discontinue import and distribution of products. Food businesses selling these products in the UK are advised to immediately stop sales, undertake product withdrawals and, where there have been retail sales, to undertake product recalls. The Hershey Company, who is the brand owner, has taken action to remove these products from the UK market. The Hershey Company has continued to work collaboratively with the FSA, and despite their proactive action to remove unsafe products from UK markets in 2024, and their subsequent decision not to supply the UK market going forward, other businesses continue to import and supply the products to the UK market. The FSA therefore requested enforcing authorities in the UK to take action to remove products from the market to protect consumers. Whilst there is no immediate cause for concern for consumers that have eaten these products, as the food safety risk is low, MOAH is a known genotoxic carcinogen and may pose a safety risk - particularly if consumed regularly, over a sustained period.
Check your product
Only products that match these details are covered. Have your pack in front of you.
Jolly Rancher Hard Candy (all flavours) All pack sizes
- Affected
- All batch codes
- All dates
Jolly Rancher ‘Misfits’ Gummies (all flavours) All pack sizes
- Affected
- All batch codes
- All dates
Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1 (all flavours) All pack sizes
- Affected
- All batch codes
- All dates
Jolly Rancher Berry Gummies (Berry flavour) All pack sizes
- Affected
- All batch codes
- All dates
Jolly Rancher Filled Pops (all flavours) All pack sizes
- Affected
- All batch codes
- All dates
Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried Candy (all flavours) All pack sizes
- Affected
- All batch codes
- All dates
What to do now
The FSA has published a recall notice for Jolly Rancher products manufactured by The Hershey Company. Read the official reason below.
- Compare your pack with the product details listed below.
- If it matches, do not eat it.
- Take it back to the shop where you bought it for a full refund, or throw it away if you prefer. You do not usually need a receipt.
- If you froze some or put it into another container, check those portions too.
Why it matters. Businesses must withdraw or recall food that is not safe or is not what it says it is. The official notice explains the specific problem.
Symptoms and when to get help
Look out for
- feeling sick or being sick
- diarrhoea
- stomach cramps
- a high temperature
- feeling generally unwell, tired or achy
Get help urgently
- signs of dehydration, such as passing little or no pee, feeling dizzy or very thirsty
- blood in your poo or bleeding from the bottom
- symptoms that are not improving after a few days, or keep coming back
- a baby, a young child, someone pregnant, someone older or someone with a weakened immune system is unwell
This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.
Getting your money back
Shops selling the product will display a point-of-sale notice and accept returns. You are entitled to your money back; you are not obliged to accept a voucher or replacement unless you want one.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, food must be of satisfactory quality and as described. A recalled product does not meet that standard.
From the official notice
Published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA-FAFA-02-2025). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Two additional products have been included in Update 1. These products are Jolly Rancher Filled Pops and Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried Candy. This Food Alert for Action replaces earlier versions of FSA-FAFA-02-2025.
Jolly Rancher products listed below contain Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons, (MOAH), making them unsafe to eat.
Food businesses who import these products are advised to discontinue import and distribution of products.
Food businesses selling these products in the UK are advised to immediately stop sales, undertake product withdrawals and, where there have been retail sales, to undertake product recalls. The Hershey Company, who is the brand owner, has taken action to remove these products from the UK market.
The Hershey Company has continued to work collaboratively with the FSA, and despite their proactive action to remove unsafe products from UK markets in 2024, and their subsequent decision not to supply the UK market going forward, other businesses continue to import and supply the products to the UK market. The FSA therefore requested enforcing authorities in the UK to take action to remove products from the market to protect consumers.
Whilst there is no immediate cause for concern for consumers that have eaten these products, as the food safety risk is low, MOAH is a known genotoxic carcinogen and may pose a safety risk - particularly if consumed regularly, over a sustained period.
The risk
Although the levels consumers are exposed to are likely to be low, they may present a risk to health because they contain MOAH. Consumption of the affected sweets is of toxicological concern, especially in younger age groups and where consumers eat a lot of the products or eat it regularly.
MOAH can cause damage to DNA and has the potential to increase the risk of cancer, particularly if consumed in high quantities over a prolonged period of time. MOAH is a genotoxic carcinogen, therefore no exposure is without risk to human health.
Action taken
We are asking enforcement authorities to ensure that businesses who may have been supplied with or received the affected products take action to ensure that unsafe products are withdrawn from the market and, where sold at retail, recalled. We are also asking the Local Authorities to inform the FSA of product recall and withdrawal actions.
Advice to consumers
If you have bought any of the above products, do not eat them. Instead, dispose of them at home. If you are concerned, notify your Trading Standards department or Environmental Health department in the Local Authority for the area in which you purchased the products.
Open the FSA notice
Questions
Why has Jolly Rancher products manufactured by The Hershey Company been recalled?
The FSA has published a recall notice for Jolly Rancher products manufactured by The Hershey Company. Read the official reason below. Businesses must withdraw or recall food that is not safe or is not what it says it is. The official notice explains the specific problem.
How do I know if my product is affected?
The notice describes the affected product rather than listing codes. Compare the product name, pack size and where you bought it with the official notice.
What should I do now?
Compare your pack with the product details listed below. If it matches, do not eat it.
Can I get a refund?
Shops selling the product will display a point-of-sale notice and accept returns. You are entitled to your money back; you are not obliged to accept a voucher or replacement unless you want one. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, food must be of satisfactory quality and as described. A recalled product does not meet that standard.
