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The State of Florida tested dozens of popular candy products for the presence of heavy metals, which produced alarming results.
“Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced new food safety findings under the Healthy Florida First initiative, with the release of candy product testing results conducted by the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to provide greater transparency for Florida families and strengthen accountability for products marketed to children,” the Florida Department of Health stated in a release.
“Our ‘Healthy Florida First’ initiative promotes innovation, ensures accountability, and empowers Floridians to make the healthiest choices for their families. Transparency is vital to that mission,“ Gov. DeSantis said.
“Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, and I were proud to announce that Florida has expanded this initiative by evaluating other products marketed for children. Through these transparency efforts and our long-standing commitment to medical freedom, Florida is doing our part to help Make America Healthy Again,” he added.
Many of the tested candies contained elevated levels of arsenic.
“The Florida Department of Health tested 46 different candy brands from 10 different companies. Of those, 33 were traditional, well-known candies,” Casey DeSantis explained.
The well-known candies included items such as Three Musketeers, Snickers, Skittles, Nerds, Kit Kats, and Jolly Ranchers.
“In 26 of the 33 traditional candy brands tested, arsenic was detected at elevated levels,” she said.
“Arsenic is a known toxic element. Long term exposure, particularly during childhood, has been linked to developmental impacts, effects on the immune system, and increased cancer risk later in life,” she added.
Footage below:
🚨 NEW: Florida Finds 78% of Tested Popular Candy Brands Contain Elevated Levels of Arsenic
“Three Musketeers, Snickers, Skittles, Nerds, Kit Kats and Jolly Ranchers — in 26 of the 33 traditional candy brands tested, arsenic was detected at elevated levels … Arsenic is a known… pic.twitter.com/NMy3GlGEUu
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) January 27, 2026
Food Safety Magazine shared further:
For the most recent testing assignment, the Florida Department of Health collected 46 candy products from ten brands and assessed the presence of toxic heavy metals. Arsenic was detected in 28 products. DOH calculated “safe” consumption amounts for each candy in which arsenic was detected, although details about how these limits were calculated were not provided.
The levels of arsenic in candy topped out at 570 parts per billion (ppb) in Tootsie Fruit Chew Lime samples, amounting to a “safe” consumption limit of 8 pieces per year for children and 20 pieces per year for adults.
Candy brands with no detected arsenic in their products included Yum Earth, Unreal, Annie’s, Reese’s, and Whoppers.
“As parents and consumers, we should have confidence that the products sold in grocery stores are safe and free from poison,” Casey 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,” she added.
“Food is an essential part of life, and we need it to be as safe and nutritious as possible,” said Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo.
“We believe that evaluating risks and communicating our findings to the public are essentially steps for driving the change we seek in the food industry and improving the health of Floridians,” he continued.
“60% of childhood candies contain dangerous levels of arsenic — SweeTarts, Snickers, Skittles, Kit Kat, Nerds, Sour Patch Kids, Twizzlers, Jolly Ranchers, Trolli, Tootsie Roll among the worst offenders,” said Nicolas Hulscher, epidemiologist and administrator at the McCullough Foundation.
“Florida tested 46 popular sweets. 28 showed elevated arsenic linked to increased cancer risk with repeated exposure,” he added.
🚨60% of childhood candies contain dangerous levels of arsenic — SweeTarts, Snickers, Skittles, Kit Kat, Nerds, Sour Patch Kids, Twizzlers, Jolly Ranchers, Trolli, Tootsie Roll among the worst offenders.
Florida tested 46 popular sweets. 28 showed elevated arsenic linked to… pic.twitter.com/G8KtoWKDV0
— Nicolas Hulscher, MPH (@NicHulscher) January 28, 2026
More from the Tallahassee Democrat:
The studies comes as Americans are paying more attention to additives in foods. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long spoken against ultra-processed foods or factory-made formulations produced largely from refined ingredients, additives such as colorings and preservatives, and little-to-no whole foods. He has also vowed to look at heavy metals in baby formula.
In January, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture released new U.S. Dietary Guidelines that recommend more protein, fewer grains, less sugar and ultra-processed foods. The guidelines also loosen restrictions on alcoholic drinks.
“As secretary of Health and Human Services, my message is clear: eat real food,” Kennedy said, calling the revised food pyramid the “most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in history.”
Read the full test results HERE.