Florida Warns of Elevated Arsenic Levels in Popular Candies, sparking Health Concerns
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Florida officials announced on January 27, 2026, that testing revealed elevated levels of arsenic in over 60% of 46 popular candy types, raising concerns about potential health risks, particularly for children. The findings, released just weeks before Valentine’s Day, have prompted a debate over food safety standards and the role of state versus federal regulation.
State Findings Raise Alarms
The testing, conducted by Florida’s Healthy Florida First initiative, identified 28 candies with high arsenic levels, including well-known brands like Twizzlers, Nerds, Skittles, and Tootsie Rolls. According to the report, the levels detected were significantly higher than those typically found in foods known to contain arsenic, such as rice.
“I was really shocked by the levels of arsenic in common candies,” stated a senior official.”The levels are two, three, four times higher than even foods that we know have high levels of arsenic in general… It’s just amazing.”
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, alongside Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, announced the results at a press conference on January 26 in The Villages. DeSantis emphasized the state’s proactive approach, stating their goal was to address potential problems before relying on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which she characterized as “primarily works as a reactionary force.”
Understanding the Risks of Arsenic Exposure
Arsenic,a naturally occurring element,exists in both organic and inorganic forms. While present in small amounts in many foods, high concentrations, particularly of inorganic arsenic, can pose serious health risks, including cancer, heart disease, and developmental problems. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their lower body weight and developing organs.
Specific Candy Findings
- Nerds Gummy Clusters: 570 ppb (Children: 8 .25-gram pieces/year; Adults: 120 .25-gram pieces/year)
- Twizzlers Strawberry: 500 ppb (Children: 4 11-gram pieces/year; Adults: 9 11-gram pieces/year)
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Sour Apple: 540 ppb (Children: 6 8-gram pieces/year; Adults: 15 8-gram pieces/year)
notably, candies such as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey Milk Chocolate Bar, M&M’s, Twix, Whoppers, and Milky Way candy bars did not show elevated arsenic levels in the testing.
Industry Response and Ongoing Debate
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) swiftly disputed the Florida report,labeling it a “misguided” and “scare tactic” that ignored established scientific safety thresholds. According to a company release, the NCA asserted that chocolate and candy are safe to consume and have been enjoyed for centuries.
The NCA highlighted the FDA’s “Closer to Zero” initiative, which aims to reduce dietary exposure to naturally occurring elements like arsenic and is currently developing action levels for foods consumed by children. The association accused Florida of “choosing sound bites over science” and disregarding the FDA’s science-based program.
The debate underscores the complexities of regulating trace elements in food and the ongoing tension between state-level initiatives and federal oversight. .
Broader Trends in Food Safety Concerns
This announcement comes amid growing consumer awareness of additives and potential contaminants in food products. Health Secretary robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal critic of ultra-processed foods and has pledged to investigate heavy metal contamination in baby formula.
Recent updates to the U.S.Dietary Guidelines,released by the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture,reflect a broader shift towards prioritizing protein,reducing grain and sugar intake,and limiting ultra-processed foods. Kennedy described the revised guidelines as “the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in history.”
As consumers become increasingly vigilant about food safety, the Florida report is highly likely to fuel further scrutiny of the confectionery industry and the regulatory frameworks governing it.
