Thousands of imported soft drinks removed from the UK market

Shared Regulatory Service (SRS) has removed thousands of imported American soft drinks and confectionery including Mountain Dew, Bang Energy, Cheetos & Takis due to them containing prohibited additives.

Such products are taking the UK market by storm and are becoming increasingly popular amongst young children. 

Imports of products from the USA and other countries must conform to the requirements of UK legislation. Although they might be suitable for one market, this does not necessarily mean they can legally be sold in the UK as different countries have different approaches to the regulations controlling additives.

It is the responsibility of the food business operator(s) importing or selling food/drink to ensure the relevant legislative requirements are met before placing them on the market. Food additives must be authorised for use in food and they can only be used in the specified permitted categories of food listed within retained EU Regulation 1333/2008 which is enforced in Wales under The Food Additives, Flavourings, Enzymes and Extraction Solvents (Wales) Regulations 2013. 

A list of the products removed from sale and the reason for their removal are listed as follows:

Mountain Dew, Bang Energy - contains unauthorised additive Calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetra-acetate (Calcium disodium EDTA (E 385).

Takis Fuego Hot Chili Pepper & Lime Tortilla Chips - contains unauthorised additive Sunset Yellow FCF (E 110) (Yellow 6 Lake)

Van Holten’s Hot Mama Hot & Spicy Pickle - contains unauthorised additive Tartrazine E 102 (Yellow 5)

Cheetos Crunchy Crisps - contains unauthorised additive Sunset Yellow FCF (E 110)

Swedish Fish Assorted - contains unauthorised additive white mineral oil (E905a)

It is a criminal offence under The Food Additives, Flavourings, Enzymes and Extraction Solvents (Wales) Regulations 2013 to place products containing unauthorised additives on the market. If you are a business and are selling any of these products, you will need to remove the products from sale and contact your local trading standards authority for further advice.   

If you are operating within Bridgend, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, please contact Shared Regulatory Services Trading Standards on 0300 123 6696.