Arsenic Found In 28 Candy Products Tested By FL Health Officials

A report released Monday by the Healthy Florida First initiative shows that elevated levels of arsenic were found in 28 popular candy brands tested, according to a Florida Department of Health news release.

First Lady Casey DeSantis leads the initiative, which expanded to evaluate various products marketed for children.

Earlier this month, Florida released infant formula testing results after the DOH analyzed 24 products sold online and in stores across the state for heavy metals and pesticides. Sixteen formulas were found to have elevated levels of certain heavy metals, including mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead.

Building on this, the DOH tested 46 candy products from 10 companies for heavy metals.

Arsenic was detected in 28 of the products tested, prompting further evaluation of potential exposure risks, particularly for children, the department said.

DeSantis said none of the candy the state tested showed elevated levels of lead, mercury, cadmium, or “other problematic carcinogens,” the Florida Phoenix reported.

The following candies were found to have elevated levels of arsenic, according to DOH testing:

• Black Forest Gummy Bears from Ferrara Candy Company
• Laffy Taffy Banana from Ferrara Candy Company
• Nerds Grape from Ferrara Candy Company
• Nerds Strawberry from Ferrara Candy Company
• Nerds Gummy Clusters from Ferrara Candy Company
• SweeTarts Original from Ferrara Candy Company
• SweeTarts Rope from Ferrara Candy Company
• Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers from Ferrara Candy Company
• Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme from The Hershey Company
• Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Sour Apply from The Hershey Company
• Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Strawberry from The Hershey Company
• Twizzlers Strawberry from The Hershey Company
• Twizzlers Cherry from The Hershey Company
• Twizzlers Watermelon from The Hershey Company
• KitKat from Nestlé
• 3 Musketeers from Mars
• Snickers from Mars
• Original Skittles from Mars
• Sour Patch Kids from Mondelêz International
• Sour Patch Kids Tropical from Mondelêz International
• Sour Patch Kids Watermelon from Mondelêz International
• Swedish Fish from Mondelêz International
• Dots from Tootsie Roll Industries
• Tootsie Fruit Chew Lime from Tootsie Roll Industries
• Tootsie Roll from Tootsie Roll Industries
• Tootsie Roll Vanilla from Tootsie Roll Industries
• Smart Sweets Caramel from Smart Sweets
• Smart Sweets Sweet Fish from Smart Sweets

Levels of arsenic in food range from about 20 to 140 parts per billion, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Find the full report here.

Candy tested that did not contain higher levels of arsenic, included Hershey Milk Chocolate Bar, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Whoppers, M&M’s, Twix, and Milky Way, the Phoenix reported.

“As parents and consumers, we should have confidence that the products sold in grocery stores are safe and free from poison,” DeSantis said. “No one should have to wonder whether the food that they are feeding their children is quietly impacting their health over time. Through independent testing under the Healthy Florida First initiative, we are bringing sunlight and transparency to the quality of food in our food supply.”

While elevated arsenic levels in one piece of candy may not be harmful, DeSantis said it could become a health risk if consumers eat larger amounts.

In a statement on its website, the National Confectioners Association called Florida's testing “misguided” and “demonstrates a glaring lack of transparency related to data-driven, scientific safety thresholds and the evaluation of confectionery products.”

“It will result in confusion among consumers, regulators, and lawmakers,” the organization said. “… Florida has chosen sound bites over science … publishing unsourced materials that amount to little more than a scare tactic.”

The association also said Florida’s methodology relied on “screening benchmarks” that do not align with current federal regulatory standards or recognized peer-reviewed science for confectionery products. … By calculating risk based on hypothetical annual consumption levels, this report risks causing unnecessary consumer confusion, the trade group said.

The candy testing initiative is part of Florida’s broader Healthy Florida First effort, which focuses on clean and transparent food systems, accountability, and restoring trust in public health through evidence-based action.