Florida officials released the results of state testing of candy products for heavy metals, expanding a broader effort to evaluate foods marketed to children and provide information to consumers.
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) tested 46 candy products from 10 companies for heavy metals, including arsenic. According to the state, arsenic was detected in 28 of the products analyzed, prompting further review of potential exposure risks, particularly for children.
The testing was conducted under the state’s “Healthy Florida First” initiative, which aims to increase transparency around food safety and product composition. Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced the findings during a joint statement.
Earlier this month, the state released results from a separate analysis of infant formula products. DOH evaluated 24 infant formulas from seven major brands sold online and in stores across Florida, testing for heavy metals and pesticides. The state reported that some products contained elevated levels of mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead compared with health-based screening benchmarks.
State officials said the release of testing data is intended to inform families and encourage accountability among manufacturers of products commonly consumed by children.
The candy testing effort is part of a broader state initiative focused on food safety, transparency, and public health. Florida has made the results of both the infant formula and candy testing publicly available online.
