The surge in popularity of American snacks – fuelled by social media trends and the demand for indulgent stocking fillers – has again raised safety concerns. Aimed squarely at younger audiences with their bold flavours and eye-catching packaging, these products have prompted a stark warning from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), urging parents to remain vigilant about the risks they may harbour.
Last year, Staffordshire County Council confiscated thousands of non-compliant products from convenience stores and high street retailers, with 89% failing to meet UK standards. Many were American imports containing unauthorised ingredients linked to health risks like hyperactivity and even cancer in children.
“Every day we’re finding these sweets,” said Councillor Stephanie Young at the time.
“I don’t think there’s any town centre where there won’t be someone selling sweets with an unauthorised ingredient in it.”
She added the trend was largely fuelled by social media and influencers.
“People want to be part of that story … and they’re prepared to pay the price for it.”
Fast forward and the trend is repeating itself, with imported snacks dominating high streets once more.
The TikTok ‘candy haul’ phenomenon
Social media platforms have turned American snacks into viral sensations. Influencers showcase ‘candy hauls’, where they unbox and taste-test large assortments of sweets and snacks, often highlighting rare and novelty items. These videos, brimming with visual appeal and a sense of nostalgia, have captivated younger audiences and significantly shaped consumer behaviour.
This viral phenomenon has led to a surge in demand for American snacks in the UK, especially among children and teenagers. Retailers, eager to cash in on the trend, have stocked their shelves with these imports, often without adequate scrutiny of their compliance with UK safety regulations.
However, this craze carries significant risks. Many of these products bypass local food safety standards, exposing the public to potential health hazards. Authorities like Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards team have intensified inspections, uncovering alarming trends.
Health risks hidden in plain sight
A recent project by Staffordshire Trading Standards – funded by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) – revealed concerning statistics.
In October, the team seized 3,378 items valued at £8,500 from local shops. Shortly after, another 3,700 non-compliant products worth £10,300 were confiscated, including:
- 1,545 packets of crisps containing Yellow 6 (E110)
- 400 packets of sweets containing mineral oil, bleached flour or carrageenan
- 1,750 cans or bottles of drinks containing EDTA.
Many of these items – often referred to as ‘grey market goods’ – are manufactured for foreign markets and fail to meet UK food safety standards. In fact, the October inspections found a 25% failure rate in compliance, with issues ranging from poor labelling and unauthorised additives to expired goods still on sale.
The reasons for UK restrictions
Yellow 6 (or Sunset Yellow FCF) is a synthetic dye that gives snacks a vibrant yellow-orange hue. While permitted in the UK, it’s subject to strict regulations. Following a 2008 study by Southampton University linking certain colourings to hyperactivity in children, the FSA urged a voluntary phase-out of such additives. Today, any product containing Yellow 6 must carry a warning label stating that it ‘may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children’.
Similarly, EDTA (or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is used by the US beverage industry to preserve colour and extend shelf life but is subject to much stricter controls in the UK and EU. Studies suggest it can lead to developmental and reproductive issues, raising significant concerns about its inclusion in imported products.
Carrageenan is a natural, gelatinous substance derived from certain types of red seaweed. It’s commonly used in the food industry as a thickener, stabiliser and emulsifier, revered for its ability to improve texture and maintain consistency. Again, it’s approved for use in the UK but must adhere to specific standards. In some applications, particularly in foods for infants or sensitive populations, its inclusion is controversial and has been limited or banned.
A growing threat
The implications of these unauthorized additives are stark. Recently confiscated products included Jolly Ranchers containing mineral oil purportedly linked to cancer and US versions of Cheetos containing illegal levels of certain additives. These snacks, while marketed as fun and indulgent, can pose real dangers to public health, contend the UK’s health watchdogs.
“Social media influencers make these snacks appear desirable and exclusive,” said Stephanie Young from Staffordshire’s Trading Standards team following last year’s haul – a trend that clearly persists.
“Consumers, especially younger ones, want to be part of the trend, often overlooking safety concerns.”
A year later, Councillor Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council, has echoed these sentiments.
“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.”
The retailer’s role
While authorities continue to ramp up their efforts to tackle this issue, Dean Cooke, CTSI lead officer for Food, emphasised the role of retailers in ensuring compliance.
“Social media has amplified the demand for American sweets, with influencers showcasing these colourful products in ways that appeal to children and teenagers,” he said.
“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.”
He also highlighted the legal requirement for importers to relabel products with a UK/GB address.
“If food does not have a UK/GB address on the label, we would advise for consumers not to buy it,” said Cooke.
If you're unsure about the safety of a product
• England and Wales: Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline at 0808 223 1133
• Northern Ireland: Consumerline at 0300 123 6262
• Scotland: Consumer Advice Scotland at 0808 164 6000
