Florida Flags Elevated Arsenic in Dozens of Candies Sold at Disney World

Overview

• Florida’s health department reports elevated arsenic in 28 of 46 tested candies and warns that routine consumption could raise children’s long‑term cancer risk.
• Officials highlighted a roughly 96‑piece annual “safe” limit for Nerds as an example that conflicts with packaging containing thousands of pieces.
• Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said some candies showed arsenic levels multiple times higher than foods like rice, while tests found no elevated lead, mercury, or cadmium.
• The National Confectioners Association rejected the state’s methods and pointed to the FDA’s Closer to Zero program; Ferrara directed inquiries to the trade group.
• Flagged products remain widely available at Walt Disney World retail locations, and the company had not issued a public response as of this week.