Urgent warning issued over American candy ‘flooding’ UK stores

American candy stores are increasingly becoming a common sight across many parts of the UK and lots of people see them as a blight.

Now a warning has been issued about unauthorised additives being found in thousands of sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks at these stores and at corner shops.

TikTok is mainly to blame for this increase, thanks to social media influencers advertising the products on their channels.

This has led stores across the UK to stock up on the stuff, with little regard for the impact it will have on children’s health.

These additives can seriously harm children, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has warned.

As the festive season is also well and truly upon us now, teenagers and young children are more at risk of eating the sweets in their stockings.

The problem is many of these sweets that are imported from America and other countries do not meet safety and legal standards here in the UK – and they are often referred to as ‘grey market goods’.

A local council though has been clamping down on the growing increase in the run up to Christmas.

Staffordshire County Council recently seized 3,378 items valued at £8,500 from local shops.

All of these products contained the unauthorised additives and had been imported from other countries.

Councillor Victoria Wilson said: ‘Our Trading Standards team works tirelessly to ensure that food sold in Staffordshire complies with safety standards.

‘During this pilot project, we were alarmed to find over 3,300 unsafe items on sale, many of which contained unauthorised ingredients and were targeted at children.

‘These items are often poorly labelled and can contain harmful additives, posing serious public health concerns.

‘Parents need to stay alert and avoid products with unclear labelling, especially during the festive season.’

Dean Cooke, CTSI Lead Officer for Food, added: ‘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.

‘Importers, by law, have to re-label products with a UK/GB address.

‘If there is any problem with the food, customers and Trading Standards may need to contact a legally responsible person in this country.

‘If food does not have a UK/GB address on the label, we would advise for them not to buy it.’

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