By Editor-in-Chief, Timothy Gocklin, MBA, MSF
Parents Beware: Toxic Arsenic Found in Popular Kids’ Candy What You Need to Know
The Florida Department of Health’s Healthy Florida First initiative has recently conducted new testing of popular candies that children enjoy. The tests have found that many of these candies contain high levels of the toxic substance arsenic. Out of the 46 candies produced by 10 different manufacturers, 28 of them have been found to contain arsenic. This should be a major cause of concern for all parents of children who enjoy these candies.
Although no candies have yet been recalled, this is a serious issue that needs to be brought to the attention of parents. Arsenic is a known toxin and a carcinogen that the FDA tracks and tests for. The FDA’s own guidelines about arsenic in food state that “Arsenic can get into foods from the environment. Children are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of arsenic because of their smaller body size and their developing organs. Children are also exposed to arsenic in the environment through contaminated water and air.”
For those who want to learn the facts about arsenic in foods and the levels that are present in foods children are eating, the FDA has a dedicated page titled Arsenic in Food on FDA.gov, which explains the risks associated with arsenic and how it is monitored in the food supply.
Sour Patch Kids varieties contain between 420 and 470 parts per billion, with a suggested limit of 12 to 36 pieces per year.
The state of Florida found that many of the candies parents regularly give their children contain elevated levels of arsenic. This means a child can consume what regulators consider a “safe yearly limit” of arsenic by eating amounts of candy that most children would easily consume in days or weeks.
Black Forest Gummy Bears contain approximately 370 parts per billion of arsenic, with a suggested safe consumption of about 16 pieces per year for children.
Laffy Taffy Banana contains about 480 parts per billion of arsenic, with a safe consumption level of roughly four pieces per year.
Nerds Grape and Strawberry varieties range between 380 and 450 parts per billion, with a suggested limit of about 96 pieces per year.
Sour Patch Kids varieties contain between 420 and 470 parts per billion, with a suggested limit of 12 to 36 pieces per year.
Jolly Rancher Hard Candy ranges from 320 to 540 parts per billion, with a suggested limit of about six pieces per year.
Twizzlers, across several varieties, contain between 350 and 510 parts per billion, with a suggested limit of four to 18 pieces per year.
Kit Kat bars tested contained approximately 230 parts per billion, with a suggested limit of about two bars per year.
These “safe” annual limits are not realistic for most families. Many children consume far more candy than this over the course of a year, and sometimes even in a single day during holidays or parties.
Arsenic exposure is especially concerning for children. Inorganic arsenic has been linked to neurological and developmental problems. According to the FDA, exposure can contribute to lowered IQ, learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and an increased risk of cancer with long term exposure. There is no known completely safe level of arsenic exposure, especially for developing children.
Parents can reduce risk by limiting candy consumption, choosing snacks with minimal processing, staying informed through FDA.gov’s arsenic in food resources, and being more mindful of how often children are consuming popular candy products.
Sources
Florida Department of Health, Healthy Florida First Initiative
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Arsenic in Food, FDA.gov
WUSF Public Media, Florida candy testing and arsenic findings
Eat This, Not That, Florida report on arsenic levels in candy
Disclaimer- I am not a medical professional, and this is based on my own research.