Palm Beach County, your favorite Halloweentreats could look or taste a little different this year. Here's what to know.
Earlier this year, Florida officials announced that after testing 46 popular candy types, more than 60% contained elevated arsenic levels.
Arsenic is present in all foods but mostly in low concentrations. It can be toxic in large amounts, especially inorganic arsenic (arsenic combined with other elements, not counting carbon). High levels of arsenic during times of active brain development in children have been associated with adverse neurological effects such as learning disabilities, behavior difficulties, and lowered IQ, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
However, independent scientists and candy makers have
questioned the study, saying the state's published results do not specify which form of arsenic was found.
Then last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it would be banning Red No. 3, a dye that gives food and drink a bright, cherry-red color. Red No. 3, also known as erythrosine, is a petroleum-based color additive. It was previously banned from use in cosmetics in the U.S. in 1990 due to evidence that the dye causes cancer at high doses in lab rats.
The 2025 ban was in response to a color additive petition filed in 2022 by advocates who claim the additive is linked to cancer and behavioral problems in children, USA TODAY reported. Manufacturers that use Red No. 3 in food and in drugs intended for ingestion will have until 2027 or 2028 to reformulate their products.
So, is our Halloween candy safe? Here's what to know.
Which candy has high levels of arsenic?
Results posted earlier this year at ExposingFoodToxins.com show 28 candies with high levels of arsenic, including gummy bears, Twizzlers, Nerds, Tootsie Rolls and SweeTarts. It didn't indicate whether the arsenic was organic or inorganic (neither is good for you; inorganic is worse), or how the testing was done.
According to Healthy Florida First, these were the worst offenders. Arsenic amounts are provided in parts per billion. They said the safe annual consumption amounts are based on developmental age.
- Black Forest Gummy Bears, 370 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 16 3-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 40 3-gram pieces
- Laffy Taffy Banana, 480 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 4 8.8-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 9⅗ 8.8-gram pieces
- Nerds Grape, 380 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 96 0.5-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 240 0.5-gram pieces
- Nerds Strawberry, 450 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 96 0.5-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 240 0.5-gram pieces
- Nerds Gummy Cluster, 500 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 24 2-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 60 2-gram pieces
- SweeTarts Original, 400 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 48 1.25-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 120 .25-gram pieces
- SweeTarts Rope, 390 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 3 12.5-gram ropes
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 7½ 12.5-gram ropes
- Troll Sour Brite Crawlers, 430 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 12 3.8-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 30 3.8-gram pieces
- Hershey's Cookies 'N' Creme, 280 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 1⅕ 43-gram bars
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 3 43-gram bars
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Sour Apple, 540 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 6 8-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 15 8-gram pieces
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Strawberry, 320 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 6 8-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 15 8-gram pieces
- Twizzlers Strawberry, 500 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 4 11-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 9⅗ 11-gram pieces
- Twizzlers Cherry, 350 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 8 5.8-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 20 5.8-grampieces
- Twizzlers Watermelon, 510 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 18 3-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 45 3-gram pieces
- Nestlé Kit Kat, 510 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 2⅖ 17-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 6 17-gram pieces
- 3 Musketeers, 240 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 2⅖ 5.7-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 20 5.7-gram pieces
- Snickers, 350 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 2⅖ 9-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 6 9-gram pieces
- Original Skittles, 370 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 48 1.04-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 120 1.04-gram pieces
- Sour Patch Kids, 470 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 36 1.25-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 90 1.25-gram pieces
- Sour Patch Kids Tropical, 420 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 18 2.5-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 45 2.5-gram pieces
- Sour Patch Kids Watermelon, 420 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 12 3.6-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 30 3.6-gram pieces
- Swedish Fish, 220 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 8 6-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 20 6-gram pieces
- Dots, 430 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 12 3.7-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 30 3.7-gram pieces
- Tootsie Fruit Chew Lime, 570 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 8 6.6-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 20 6.6-gram pieces
- Tootsie Roll, 380 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 8 6.6-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults:20 6.6-gram pieces
- Tootsie Roll Vanilla, 370 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 8 7-gram pieces
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 20 7-gram pieces
- Smart Sweets Caramel, 240 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 1 bag, 45 grams
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 2⅖ bags, 45 grams each
- Smart Sweets, 240 ppb
- Safe consumption limit per year for children: 1 bag, 45 grams
- Safe consumption limit per year for adults: 2⅖ bags, 45 grams each
The report did not indicate where the testing was done, whether multiple tests were performed, or which types of arsenic were found.
What is arsenic? How bad is it for you?
Arsenic is a highly toxic natural component of the Earth's crust and is widely distributed throughout the environment, including air, water and land, according to the World Health Organization.
Arsenic is present in all foods, but mostly in low concentrations. It can be toxic in large amounts, especially inorganic arsenic (arsenic combined with other elements, not counting carbon).
Studies have shown that increased exposure to inorganic arsenic can increase the risk of skin cancer and cancer in the liver, bladder, and lungs. High levels of arsenic during times of active brain development in children have also been associated with adverse neurological effects such as learning disabilities, behavior difficulties, and lowered IQ, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
What did candymakers say about Florida's study?
In a statement about Florida's report, the National Confectioners Association said "Florida has chosen sound bites over science.
"The methodology used in the report relies on ‘screening benchmarks’ that do not align with current federal regulatory standards or recognized peer-reviewed science for confectionery products.
"Chocolate and candy are safe to eat and can be enjoyed as treats as they have been for centuries."
The recent announcement from Florida "is misguided and demonstrates a glaring lack of transparency related to data-driven, scientific safety thresholds and the evaluation of confectionery products. It will result in confusion among consumers, regulators, and lawmakers," the Confectioners Association said.
Why was red dye banned?
The color additive petition filed in 2022 cited two studies that showed cancer in male lab rats when exposed to high levels of Red No. 3.
In its 2025 announcement, the FDA notes that human exposure to Red No. 3 is typically much lower than the levels that cause the effects observed in male rats.
"Studies in other animals and in humans did not show these effects; claims that the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and in ingested drugs puts people at risk are not supported by the available scientific information," the FDA writes.
Red No. 3 is also essentially banned in the European Union, Australia and New Zealand.
Will seasonal candy, treats be impacted? See when ban goes into full effect
While over a year has passed since the decision was made, it's still unlikely that any Halloween treats will be affected this year, especially in terms of taste, since food dyes don't have a distinct flavor in small batches.
Manufacturers who use Red No. 3 in food will have until Jan. 15, 2027, to change their products, according to the FDA's announcement, while those who use the dye in drugs will have until Jan. 18, 2028.
It is worth noting that Red Dye 40, a synthetic color additive derived from petroleum, has not been banned. California has already banned it, and some states have discussed following suit.
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Be careful with Halloween candy. Florida's arsenic claims explained
