We all grab a handful of candy for a quick smile—kids after school, movie nights, holiday treats. But a recent Florida Department of Health investigation under the Healthy Florida First initiative has parents rethinking those everyday indulgences. Testing 46 popular candies, they found arsenic in 28 of them (over 60%). Arsenic can sneak into foods from soil, water, or processing, and while trace amounts exist in many items, the cumulative effect—especially for children—raises real concerns.
The more troubling inorganic form builds up over time, potentially impacting kids’ brain development (think learning difficulties or lower IQ) and raising long-term risks like skin issues, heart problems, and certain cancers. Adults face similar worries with prolonged exposure. These aren’t immediate poisons, but the idea that a favorite treat could contribute to hidden risks over years feels unsettling.
What makes this hit harder? Florida calculated “safe” annual limits for children based on their findings—meaning the amount that could stay below certain exposure thresholds. For some candies, that translates to shockingly few pieces per year:
- Black Forest Gummy Bears (370 ppb): Just 16 pieces (3-gram size) per year for kids.
- Laffy Taffy Banana (480 ppb): Only about 4 pieces (8.8-gram size) per year.
- Tootsie Fruit Chew Lime (570 ppb, one of the highest): Around 8 pieces per year.
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Sour Apple (540 ppb): Roughly 6 pieces per year.
- Twizzlers (various flavors, up to 510 ppb): As few as 4–18 pieces per year depending on type.
- Nerds Grape/Strawberry (around 380 ppb): About 96 pieces (0.5-gram size) per year.
- Nerds Gummy Clusters (500 ppb): Around 24 pieces per year.
- SweeTarts Original (higher levels): About 48 pieces per year.
- Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers: Around 12 pieces per year.
- Sour Patch Kids (around 470 ppb): Roughly 36 pieces per year.
These numbers come from state benchmarks focused on protecting developing bodies, and they highlight how quickly limits add up—even a small bag or Halloween haul could exceed yearly “safe” amounts for some products.It’s eye-opening to realize that processed foods, including many candies, can contain additives and contaminants from manufacturing or sourcing. While the FDA’s broader Total Diet Study shows lower average levels in confectionery (often under 15 ppb) and emphasizes overall diet, the Florida results spotlight variability and call attention to what’s in the foods our kids love most.
Better Choices to Keep Treats Enjoyable
On a positive note, several tested candies showed no elevated arsenic or “risk not identified,” including many chocolate-based options:
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar
- M&M’s
- Twix
- Milky Way
- Whoppers
- Organic varieties like some Black Forest Gummy Bears or Yum Earth options
Easy Ways to Stay Balanced
Candy remains a fun occasional treat—moderation is everything. Try:
- Picking lower-risk favorites like chocolate bars or cups.
- Mixing in fruit, popcorn, or yogurt for variety.
- Watching other arsenic sources (rice, certain juices, seafood).
- Checking updates from reliable sources like the FDA.
If this worries you, chat with your pediatrician about your family’s habits. Knowledge helps us make smarter, safer choices so sweets stay joyful—not stressful.
This is INSANE
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) February 26, 2026
“This is how many pieces of your child's favorite candy they can consume per year before they surpass their safe level of arsenic intake:”
Black Forest Gummy Bears – 16 pieces per year
Laffy Taffys – 4 pieces per year
Trolli Sour Gummy Worms – 12 pieces per year… pic.twitter.com/hMvgvPOYiH