Happy Halloween! As you celebrate, it's important to consider what toxins might be in your candy. While of course the occasional treat isn't likely to cause major problems, the continued buildup of toxic chemicals in your body from repeated exposure can be an issue. Luckily, there are some better options for candy that are free of the conventional toxins!
One toxin found in many types of candy, such as Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Starbursts, and Ring Pops, is titanium dioxide. It's added to food to help improve its color and shine. Titanium dioxide can cause DNA damage, colon tumors, liver cancer, and tumors in goblet cells, which are in the linings of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. It's also been linked to reproductive issues, like decreased testis weight, lower sperm count and motility, abnormal sperm, and testosterone level changes in both sexes. Some other effects include brain developmental issues in fetuses and babies and brain changes in adults, thyroid changes, anxiety, mitochondrial harm, inflammation, hormonal disruption, gut microbiome harm, and immune system issues. It has the potential to enter the placenta and fetus when a pregnant person is exposed. And it can build up in your body after repeated exposure, which is common because titanium dioxide is found in a wide variety of foods and products.
Another toxin commonly found in candy is TBHQ, which is used as a preservative. This chemical can harm the immune system, including by reducing vaccines' effectiveness and triggering allergies. Studies have linked TBHQ to disrupted liver size, neurotoxicity, and even convulsions and paralysis in animals.
BHT is a food additive found in candies like lollipops and Rice Krispies Treats. There is evidence suggesting that it can lead to thyroid issues, disrupt hormones, prevent blood clotting, cause weight irregularities, including in fetuses, methylate DNA (meaning that the frequency of use of that DNA changes), cause reproductive harm, and possibly increase the risk of various cancers, including lung, liver, and bladder cancer.
One of the most widespread and dangerous kinds of toxins found in candy is synthetic food dyes, like Red No. 3, Red No. 40, and Yellow No. 5. Red No. 3 is a carcinogen, as are several other dyes. Other synthetic dyes have been found to be contaminated with other carcinogens. Yellow No. 5 can also damage DNA and harm cell replication, both of which can lead to the development of cancer as well as other issues. Several dyes, including Blue No. 1, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Yellow No. 6, can cause allergic reactions. Exposure to synthetic food dyes can also lead to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems, as well as developmental issues.
In addition, artificial flavors can be problematic. These ingredients can disrupt the normal process of cell replication, damage genes, and harm bone marrow cells and the production of red blood cells. "Natural flavor" also isn't much better. Although these ingredients must originate from plants or animals, synthetic chemicals (that don't have to be listed on ingredient labels separately) are added into the "flavor" mixture, sometimes making up 80-90% of it. "Natural flavor" also often is composed of even more chemicals than artificial ones! Various additives have been linked to problems such as asthma, ADHD, heart issues, cancer, obesity, hormone disruption, and disrupted growth and development. Additionally, the chemical structure of "natural" and "artificial" flavors are often identical, meaning they have the potential to cause the same issues. Organic "natural flavor" has more regulations that make it safer than the usual kind.
Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, contains lead and cadmium, both of which are dangerous heavy metals. Lead is a neurotoxin that can lead to brain and nervous system damage, disrupted growth and development, attention problems, behavior and learning issues, seizures, and lower IQs. Because of this, it's especially important to prevent children and pregnant people from being exposed, as fetuses and children are developing, and neurotoxins like lead can affect this development. In addition, lead exposure can lead to hypertension, immune system issues, kidney damage, and reproductive harm. Cadmium can harm the kidneys, reproductive system, and liver, and lead to bone demineralization and neurobehavioral issues, and it accumulates in the body with every exposure. Studies have shown that most chocolate, including that from brands like Hershey's, M&Ms, Reese's, and Snickers, contains these heavy metals, some even at levels above California's Prop. 65 regulations, due to contamination in the cacao. Milk chocolate tends to be safer due to the lower levels of cacao, which generally decreases cadmium (although this trend doesn't hold as well for lead). Unfortunately, organic chocolate is usually not different in terms of lead and cadmium, so choosing organic chocolate is not enough to reduce your risk. Choosing cacao from areas with low cadmium levels in the soil and preventing the cacao beans from being exposed to dust with lead can lower lead and cadmium levels in chocolate, which some chocolate manufacturers are doing. Encouraging more chocolate manufacturers to take these steps will help make this treat safer. As for now, eating chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, in moderation is best to prevent lead and cadmium accumulation.
Luckily, there are some brands looking to offer safer candy! Most organic candy is free of the common toxic additives, which makes certified organic candy a great choice if you find your own brand. If you're looking for recommendations, here are some safer options! To swap out the usually synthetic dye-filled gummies, try Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears. These are certified organic and use plants to dye their treats. Another better brand is Surf Sweets, which is also certified organic. They offer gummy bears, gummy fish, jelly beans, gummy rings, and gummy worms. YumEarth has organic candy as well. They offer lollipops, gummy bears, and alternatives to Skittles and Starbursts. They even have Halloween packs! If you're looking for chocolate, there are plenty of organic brands out there that are decent choices. However, brands that test well for lead and cadmium levels offer the safest choice. Some safer tested brands include Mast, which offers a variety of flavors of chocolate bars, including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, almond, sea salt, hazelnut, and coffee, and Taza, which offers a variety of chocolate bars, in flavors like dark chocolate, coconut, raspberry, sea salt and almond, hazelnut, toffee, and orange, as well as chocolate-covered nuts.
Remember that eating candy with common toxins every once in a while is very likely not going to cause problems, so don't stress about one night of exposure and enjoy the holiday!
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