NCA refutes Florida Department of Health studies claiming elevated levels of arsenic in sweets

The National Confectioners Association has responded to a Florida Department of Health study that asserted there were elevated levels of Arsenic present in a wide range of big brand sweets, reports Neill Barston.

According to local reports, the health authority studies some 48 types of treats treats, with some 28 said to have been impacted by the issue – which the NCA has moved to refute.

It added that the methodology used in this report relies on ‘screening benchmarks’ that do not align with current federal regulatory standards or recognised peer-reviewed science for confectionery products.

By calculating risk based on hypothetical annual consumption levels, the NCA stated that the report risks causing unnecessary consumer confusion. Consequently, the trade organisation said it will continue to work with federal regulators to ensure that food safety policy remains grounded in standardised, national scientific consensus.

In a statement, the NCA said: ““Chocolate and candy are safe to eat and can be enjoyed as treats as they have been for centuries. The recent announcement from the State of 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.

“Alternatively, the FDA’s Closer to Zero Initiative was created to reduce dietary exposure to naturally occurring elements (such as arsenic), and is currently working on arsenic action levels for foods consumed by children. Florida has chosen sound bites over science – ignoring this science-based program in favor of publishing unsourced materials that amount to little more than a scare tactic. Food safety and product quality remain our highest priorities, and we remain dedicated to being transparent and socially responsible – and we follow the science.”