Arsenic Found In 28 Popular Kids Candies

Florida health officials discovered arsenic lurking in 28 of 46 popular candies kids devour daily—what does this mean for your family’s next treat?

Story Snapshot

Florida tested 46 candies from 10 brands; 28 showed detectable arsenic levels, highest at 570 ppb in Tootsie Fruit Chew Lime.
“Healthy Florida First” initiative, a $5 million program, exposes contaminants in child-targeted products beyond federal oversight.
Clean brands include Yum Earth, Unreal, Annie’s, Reese’s, Whoppers; affected ones like Jolly Rancher, Snickers, Twizzlers face scrutiny.
State calculates “safe” limits like 8 pieces yearly for kids on highest-arsenic candy, sparking methodology debates.
Governor DeSantis pushes transparency, aligning with “Make America Healthy Again” amid industry pushback.

Launch of Healthy Florida First Initiative

Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the “Healthy Florida First” initiative in early January 2026 with $5 million funding. The program targets contaminants like heavy metals, bacteria, pesticides, and microplastics in foods. Initial tests hit infant formulas from seven brands, finding mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead. This success prompted candy testing on January 26. Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo unveiled results, stressing child safety transparency.

Candy Testing Results and Affected Brands

Florida Department of Health tested 46 candies from 10 brands marketed to children. Arsenic appeared in 28 products. Tootsie Fruit Chew Lime topped at 570 parts per billion. Other hits included Laffy Taffy, Jolly Rancher, Snickers, and Twizzlers. Clean results came from Yum Earth, Unreal, Annie’s, Reese’s, and Whoppers. State set consumption limits: kids safely eat 8 pieces yearly of the worst offender, adults 20. Full data lives at ExposingFoodToxins.com.

Government Push for Food Safety Transparency

Governor DeSantis declared the initiative empowers families with choices through accountability. First Lady DeSantis warned parents against wondering if kids’ foods harm health long-term. Surgeon General Ladapo backed the science. This state action fills perceived federal gaps, especially for vulnerable kids. Officials promise more tests on child products. The approach ties to DeSantis’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, prioritizing sunlight on supply chains over blind trust in regulators.

Industry Backlash and Methodology Disputes

National Confectioners’ Association slammed Florida’s announcement as misguided, lacking transparency on safety thresholds. They argue screening benchmarks ignore federal standards and peer-reviewed science. NCA highlights FDA Total Diet Study shows far lower arsenic in candies. Florida’s higher readings suggest testing differences. Industry defends products as safe under established rules. This clash reveals tensions between state innovation and federal norms—common sense favors verifiable data over industry self-regulation.

Arsenic occurs naturally in foods at low levels, but chronic exposure risks health, especially in children. Florida’s findings amplify parental caution without FDA action. Short-term, parents shift to clean brands, hurting sales of tainted ones. Long-term, states may copy Florida, pressuring reformulations. Economic hits loom for manufacturers; politics boost DeSantis model for conservative-led oversight. Consumers gain tools for informed choices, restoring trust through facts.