She joined her husband, Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo at a press conference in the Villages<\/a> to announce the testing results. Twenty-six of the 33 traditional candy brands tested showed arsenic at elevated levels, the First Lady said, adding that the testing was conducted through the Florida Department of Health at independent, certified labs.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThese levels are problematic when evaluated over the course of a year,\u201d Casey DeSantis said. \u201cThe concern here is not necessarily about one single piece of candy on one single day. The concern is when these products are consumed, as they realistically are, repeatedly over time.\u201d<\/p>\n The National Confectioners Association<\/a> later sent a statement condemning the press conference<\/a> and calling the state officials\u2019 claims \u201cmisguided\u201d and \u201cscare tactics.\u201d<\/p>\n The state\u2019s website published the results<\/a>, which showed some of the offenders included SweeTarts, Laffy Taffy Banana, Jolly Ranchers, Twizzlers, Kit Kat, Hershey\u2019s Cookies \u2019N\u2019 Creme, 3 Musketeers, Snickers, Swedish Fish, Dots, Tootsie Rolls and Nerds.<\/p>\n Not all candies found elevated arsenic levels. M&M\u2019s, Laffy Taffy Cherry, Hershey\u2019s Milk Chocolate bar, Whoppers, Twix, Milky Way and, in a relief to the DeSantises, Reese\u2019s Peanut Butter Cups, were among those candies without any toxins.<\/p>\n \u201cI know my kids would be very upset if there was something wrong with Reese\u2019s cups,\u201d Ron DeSantis quipped during the press conference.<\/p>\n To illustrate her point about how children realistically eat candy and the potential dangers they could face, Casey DeSantis pointed to Swedish Fish as an example.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Department of Health<\/a> determined that more than eight pieces of Swedish fish exceed the estimated safe annual arsenic exposure level for a child,\u201d the First Lady said. \u201cYet in a typical small bag, usually 3 to 5 ounces, they\u2019re anywhere from 50 to 100 pieces. Stopping at eight pieces does not reflect the real-world consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n Exposure to arsenic can hurt children developmentally, affect their immune system and increase cancer, officials warned.<\/p>\n Arsenic is a naturally-occurring substance found in the soil and appears in all foods, especially rice, Ladapo said.<\/p>\n \u201cI was really shocked by the levels of arsenic in common candies,\u201d Ladapo said. \u201cThe levels of arsenic in common candies are much higher \u2014 two, three, four times higher than even foods that we know have high levels of arsenic in general, like rice.\u201d<\/p>\n The DeSantises and Ladapo are on a crusade to protect Florida\u2019s children. Earlier this month, they held a press conference to warn about heavy metals found in baby formula<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/KIR25002-Web-Ad-3-e1760498324308.jpg\")
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