Florida releases candy testing results under Healthy Florida First initiative

Staff report

THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Today, 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.

“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,“ said Governor DeSantis. “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.”

Earlier this month, Florida released infant formula testing results after DOH analyzed 24 infant formula products sold online and in stores across the state, reviewing samples from seven major brands for heavy metals and pesticides. The testing identified elevated levels of certain heavy metals compared to health-based screening benchmarks, including mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead.

Building on that work, 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 results released today are intended to provide families with clear, accessible information and promote accountability for products widely consumed by Florida’s children.

The testing found arsenic in the following products (amounts are the yearly safe consumption limit 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 ropes)
• 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, one piece is 17 grams)
• 3 Musketeers (2.4 pieces, one piece is 5.7 grams)
• Snickers (2.4 pieces, one piece is 9 grams)
• 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 grams)
• Smart Sweets Sweet Fish (1 bag, 50 grams)

The following products were also tested, and no arsenic was found:

• 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 Caramal 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

“As parents and consumers, we should have confidence that the products sold in grocery stores are safe and free from poison,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “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.”

“Food is an essential part of life, and we need it to be as safe and nutritious as possible,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo. “We believe that evaluating risks and communicating our findings to the public are essential steps for driving the change we seek in the food industry and improving the health of Floridians.”

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.

Both the previously released infant formula testing results and today’s candy testing results are available at ExposingFoodToxins.com.