A recent investigation by Florida health officials has pulled back the curtain on a disturbing reality lurking inside the candy aisle. 28 popular treats, including some of the nation’s most iconic big-name brands, contain measurable levels of arsenic. Under the “Healthy Florida First” initiative, state lab testing has exposed the hidden heavy metals in snacks frequently marketed to children, raising urgent questions about food safety and long-term health. While some candies passed the test, others carry specific consumption limits that every parent needs to see. Keep reading to discover which household favorites made the list and whether the treats in your pantry are among those flagged by the state.
DOH report shows arsenic in top-selling candy products
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) recently tested 46 candy products from 10 major companies for heavy metals. Alarmingly, arsenic was detected in 28 of these items, prompting officials to assess potential health risks, particularly for children who are the primary consumers of these treats. The findings, released on Monday, aim to equip families with clear, actionable information and encourage greater accountability from companies producing widely enjoyed candies.
Below are the products where arsenic was detected, along with the approximate annual safe consumption limits for a child:
- Black Forest Gummy Bears – 16 pieces
- Laffy Taffy Banana – 4 pieces
- Nerds Grape – 96 pieces
- Nerds Strawberry – 96 pieces
- Nerds Gummy Cluster – 24 pieces
- SweeTarts Original – 48 pieces
- SweeTarts Rope – 3 rope
- Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers – 12 pieces
- Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme Bar – 1.2 bars
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Sour Apple – 6 pieces
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Strawberry – 6 pieces
- Twizzlers Strawberry – 4 pieces
- Twizzlers Cherry – 8 pieces
- Twizzlers Watermelon Pull ‘n’ Peel – 18 pieces
- Kit Kat – 2.4 pieces (17 g per piece)
- 3 Musketeers – 2.4 pieces (5.7 g per piece)
- Snickers – 2.4 pieces (9 g per piece)
- Original Skittles – 48 pieces
- Sour Patch Kids – 36 pieces
- Sour Patch Kids Tropical – 18 pieces
- Sour Patch Kids Watermelon – 12 pieces
- Swedish Fish – 8 pieces
- Dots – 12 pieces
- Toosie Fruit Chew Lime – 8 pieces
- Tootsie Roll – 8 pieces
- Tootsie Roll Vanilla – 8 pieces
- Smart Sweets Caramel – 1 bag (45 g)
- Smart Sweets Sweet Fish – 1 bag (50 g)
In contrast, the following candies were tested and found to contain no detectable arsenic:
- Organic Black Forest Gummy Bears
- Laffy Taffy Cherry
- Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Whoppers
- M&M’s
- Twix
- Milky Way
- Organic Bunny Fruit Flavored Snacks Berry Patch
- Smart Sweets Red Twists
- UNREAL Dark Chocolate Caramel Peanut Nougat Bar
- UNREAL Dark Chocolate Coconut Bar
- UNREAL Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
- Yum Earth Organic Chewys
- Yum Earth Choco Yums Chocolate Candies
- Yum Earth Organic Giggles
- Yum Earth Gummy Bears
- Yum Earth Organic Lollipops
Florida health officials flag mercury, arsenic, lead in popular baby formulas
While the candy testing has raised alarms about arsenic in treats consumed by children, Florida health officials had already uncovered concerning heavy metal levels in infant formulas earlier this year. Still part of the “Healthy Florida First” initiative, the Florida DOH analyzed 24 infant formula products from seven major brands, sold both online and in stores, for heavy metals and pesticides. The results revealed elevated mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead levels in 16 formulas, surpassing health-based safety benchmarks and highlighting potential risks to infants.
The following 16 infant formulas were found to contain concerning levels of heavy metals:
- Bobbie Infant Formula
- Bobbie Organic Infant Formula
- Bubs Goat Milk-Based Formula
- ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula
- Enfamil AR Powder
- Enfamil Gentlease Powder
- Enfamil Gentlease NeuroPro Ready to Use
- Enfamil Infant Concentrate
- Enfamil Infant NeuroPro Ready to Use
- Enfamil Infant Powder
- Enfamil Prosobee
- Holle Organic Infant Formula Stage 1
- Holle Organic Infant Goat Milk Formula Stage 1
- Kendamil Classic
- Kendamil Goat Milk-Based Formula
- Similac Soy Isomil Powder
These findings, combined with the candy results, underscore the importance of monitoring heavy metal exposure in foods designed for children of all ages. By sharing these results, Florida health officials aim to equip parents with critical information to make informed, safer choices for their families.
Sources: Alachua Chronicle, Exposing Food Toxins