Banned Additives in Sweets Linked to Health Risks
- Illegal sweets containing banned additives are flooding UK high streets
- Influencers on social media like TikTok promoting US confectionary
- Convenience retailers and shops selling these sweets to take advantage of trend
- Staffordshire county council seized 3,378 products in a pilot project
- Manchester city council also seizing illegal goods from stores
- Banned ingredients include vegetable oil (BVO), mineral oil, and bleached flour
- Swedish Fish, Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, and Fanta Pineapple contain banned additives
- UK sees increase in American Candy stores on high streets
- Trading Standards officers seized £55,000 worth of suspected illegal goods last year
Illegal sweets containing banned additives, linked to behavioural problems and cancer, are flooding UK high streets, according to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI). The rise in demand for US confectionary is being encouraged by influencers on social media platforms like TikTok. Convenience retailers and high street shops have started selling these sweets to capitalize on the trend, with millions being imported into the UK. Staffordshire county council reported seizing 3,378 products during a pilot project funded by the Food Standards Agency, while Manchester city council said its environmental health team had been seizing illegal goods from stores this week. Banned ingredients in the UK include vegetable oil (BVO), mineral oil, and bleached flour, while imported goods containing banned additives include Swedish Fish, Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, and Fanta Pineapple. CTSI CEO John Herriman stated that trading standards work hard to protect the public by removing dangerous products from sale but the popularity of these items is being increased by videos on social media platforms like TikTok. He added that importers are sending these through ports and borders in millions, ending up in retail stores and children’s hands. The UK has seen an influx of American Candy stores on high streets in recent years.
Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about the issue of illegal sweets containing banned additives being sold in the UK and the role of social media influencers in promoting them. It also mentions specific examples of seized products and actions taken by councils to address the problem. However, it contains some irrelevant details like ‘Love is in the air this Valentine’s day and whether you are coupled up or,’ which is not related to the main topic.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the issue of illegal sweets containing banned additives being sold on UK high streets and the role of social media influencers in promoting them. It also mentions specific examples of seized products and actions taken by councils. However, it includes an unrelated mention of a Valentine’s Day promotion at the end which adds some noise to the article.
Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the issue of illegal sweets containing banned additives being sold in the UK, impacting public health and safety, but does not pertain to financial topics or impact financial markets or companies.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the text.
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