A number of types of Jolly Ranchers candy are "unsafe to eat" and contain ingredients which could damage DNA and increase the risk of cancer, the U.K. Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned.

BBC News reports the FSA on June 11 issued an alert, urging U.K. businesses and consumers to stop buying and selling the Jolly Ranchers products, owned by U.S. company Hershey, because they contain chemical compounds — mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) and mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) — which are "not compliant with U.K. laws.

The news comes at a time when the U.K. is hammering out details of a trade deal with the U.S., and adds to tensions over other food products that are outright banned in the U.K., such as U.S. beef that has been treated with hormones.

Read More: Trade Deal: U.K. Will Not Allow Import of American Hormone-Treated Beef

The products pose a safety risk if consumed regularly over time but there is "no immediate cause for concern, as [the] food safety risk is low," the agency added.

According to the agency, The Hershey Company has been working with the U.K. government body to remove the affected Jolly Rancher products from the U.K. market since 2024, but some businesses in Britain have continued to import the products.

The affected products are: Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, Jolly Rancher 'Misfits' Gummies, Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Jolly Ranchers Berry Gummies.