Non-Toxic Dad News: March 12, 2026

Author

Warren Phillips
March 12, 2026

Hello Non-Toxic Friends!

There is something about March that brings out the bright green treats and nostalgic sweets. But before you reach for that candy bowl or swing through a drive-thru for a Shamrock Shake, you might want to hear about a recent study that raised some serious eyebrows.

A Florida-based investigation recently tested 46 popular candy products and found that 28 contained detectable levels of arsenic. Yes, arsenic. The same element is commonly associated with rat poison. While the amounts detected were not always high enough to cause immediate poisoning, the concern is cumulative exposure. When small amounts of heavy metals show up repeatedly in foods that kids and adults often eat, those exposures can add up over time.

So how does arsenic end up in candy in the first place? Many candies rely on ingredients like rice-based syrups, certain color additives, and agricultural products that can absorb arsenic from contaminated soil and water. When those ingredients are concentrated and processed into sweet treats, trace metals can follow right along with them. It is another reminder that ultra-processed foods often carry hidden baggage beyond just sugar and artificial flavors.

In this week’s newsletter, we will break down which candies were flagged in testing and which ingredients are most likely to carry heavy metal contamination, so you know what to watch for when shopping. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to the foods our families reach for without a second thought.

And since it is March and the Shamrock Shake is back everywhere, we also decided to recreate it the Non-Toxic Dad way. No artificial green dyes, no questionable additives, and no mystery ingredients. Just a simple homemade version made with real ingredients that delivers that classic minty flavor without the toxic baggage.

What’s happening

I had a powerful conversation with neuroscientist and Alzheimer’s prevention expert Robert Love. In this episode, we dive into a question many people are starting to ask: Are our everyday habits protecting our brains, or slowly working against them?

Robert breaks down the latest research on brain health and explains why Alzheimer’s is not simply an inevitable part of aging. We talk about how inflammation, oxidative stress, poor sleep, diet, and environmental toxins can all play a role in cognitive decline, and more importantly, what you can do about it.

You’ll also hear practical strategies for protecting your brain, including the importance of gut health, movement, quality sleep, and reducing toxic exposures in your daily life. If keeping your mind sharp as you age matters to you, this is an episode worth listening to.

Spring gardening season is underway, and depending on your growing zone, now is the time to start getting your hands and feet in the soil. Get barefoot, and get out there! Here in Zone 7, we’re starting seedlings indoors for warm-weather crops like tomatoes, peppers, basil, and other herbs so they’re strong and ready to transplant once the last frost passes. 

Starting seeds early gives plants a head start and helps extend the growing season, whether you’re working with raised beds, backyard gardens, or even small container setups. It’s also a great opportunity to get kids involved, learn where food really comes from, and reconnect with the rhythms of the season.

Blog Spotlights

Arsenic in Candy: What Testing Reveals

Candy has always occupied a strange place in the modern diet. It is rarely considered nutritious, yet it remains a staple at holidays, movie nights, road trips, office snack bowls, and convenience store counters. Most people assume the biggest concern with candy is sugar, artificial dyes, or perhaps ultra-processed ingredients. Recently, however, another issue has been getting attention: heavy metal contamination.

Baking Soda: The Most Overlooked Kitchen Staple

Walk into almost any grocery store, and you will find baking soda sitting quietly on the baking aisle shelf in a small orange box. Most people grab it only when they need to bake cookies, banana bread, or pancakes. In reality, sodium bicarbonate, better known as baking soda, may be one of the most versatile compounds in the entire house.

The Truth Behind the Starbucks Decaf Case

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. For many people, it is a daily ritual that starts in the morning and powers the afternoon. Some prefer the full caffeine experience, while others reach for decaf to avoid the stimulant effects while still enjoying the taste and routine. Because coffee is so deeply embedded in daily life, news involving contamination or chemical exposure tends to get attention quickly.

Why Grocery Apples Are So Shiny (And What It Really Means)

Walk through the produce section of almost any grocery store, and you will notice something about the apples. They look almost polished. The skins are smooth, glossy, and reflective enough that the overhead lights bounce right off them. Compared to apples picked straight from a backyard tree or local orchard, store-bought apples often look unusually perfect.

Non-Toxic Tip of the Week

❌ Candy to Avoid

(Higher arsenic levels detected in testing)

🍬 Black Forest Gummy Bears – 370 ppb
🍬 Laffy Taffy Banana – 480 ppb

🍇 Nerds Grape – 380 ppb
🍓 Nerds Strawberry – 450 ppb
🍇 Nerds Gummy Clusters – 500 ppb

🍭 SweeTarts Original – 400 ppb
🍭 SweeTarts Rope – 390 ppb

🐛 Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers – 430 ppb

🍫 Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme – 280 ppb

🍏 Jolly Rancher Sour Apple – 540 ppb
🍓 Jolly Rancher Strawberry – 320 ppb

🪢 Twizzlers Strawberry – 500 ppb
🪢 Twizzlers Cherry – 350 ppb
🪢 Twizzlers Watermelon – 510 ppb

🍫 Kit Kat – 230 ppb
🍫 3 Musketeers – 240 ppb
🍫 Snickers – 350 ppb

🌈 Original Skittles – 370 ppb

🍬 Sour Patch Kids – 470 ppb
🍬 Sour Patch Kids Tropical – 420 ppb
🍬 Sour Patch Kids Watermelon – 420 ppb

🐟 Swedish Fish – 220 ppb

🔴 Dots – 430 ppb

🍬 Tootsie Fruit Chew Lime – 570 ppb
🍬 Tootsie Roll – 380 ppb
🍬 Tootsie Roll Vanilla – 370 ppb

⚠️ Lower But Still Detected

(Lower levels but still measurable)

🍬 SmartSweets Caramel – 240 ppb
🍬 SmartSweets Sweet Fish – 180 ppb

These were among the lowest levels detected in the testing, but still contained measurable amounts.

✅ Better Candy Choices

(Generally cleaner ingredient profiles)

🍫 MAST Chocolate – organic ingredients and cleaner sourcing
🍫 Dr Bronner’s Chocolate– lower sugar chocolate options
🍓 YumEarth Organic Candy – organic fruit-based candy without artificial dyes
🍬 Unreal Snacks – cleaner chocolate candy alternatives

Non-Toxic Recipe of the Week

🍀 The Non-Toxic Shamrock Shake

Every March, the Shamrock Shake returns, glowing bright green and tasting like minty nostalgia. But the classic drive-thru version gets its color and flavor from a syrup made with high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, glycerin, sodium benzoate, and artificial dyes like Yellow 5 and Blue 1. These petroleum-based dyes and preservatives are commonly used to extend shelf life and intensify color, but they have also been linked to inflammation, behavioral issues in children, and other health concerns.

The good news is you can recreate the same festive treat at home using real ingredients. Our Non-Toxic Shamrock Shake uses creamy vanilla ice cream, refreshing peppermint, a natural green color from spirulina, and monk fruit for sweetness. It delivers that classic minty flavor without the artificial dyes, preservatives, or ultra-processed syrups.

This Week on Social Media, I talked about:

In Closing,

As you move through the week, keep in mind that many of the treats we think of as harmless indulgences often come with ingredients most of us would never choose if we saw them on their own. From candies containing measurable levels of heavy metals to bright green milkshakes made with artificial dyes and processed syrups, many popular favorites are more chemistry experiments than real food.

Making your own versions at home can dramatically reduce the amount of unnecessary additives and contaminants you bring into your kitchen. Skip the questionable candy, try the homemade Shamrock Shake instead, and keep choosing foods that nourish your body rather than burden it.

Warren (Non-Toxic Dad)

Thank you for taking the time to read this email. This message is part of an ongoing conversation between us, and I want to take a moment to ensure you have full transparency about why you received this message, how your information is handled, and what to expect from future emails. Why You’re Receiving This Email You’re receiving this email because at some point, you opted in to receive updates, news, or information on a specific topic we’ve previously discussed or shared. Whether it was through a subscription, a form submission, or another form of communication, your information was shared willingly, and we respect your decision to connect with us. If you’re wondering about the nature of our correspondence, rest assured that we aim to keep all emails relevant, timely, and from unnecessary clutter. This includes respecting your inbox and refraining from sending irrelevant messages. A Commitment to Non-Intrusive Emails We aim to create a non-intrusive communication experience. This means we won’t overwhelm your inbox with excessive messages, and we work hard to ensure our content remains clear and concise. The purpose of this email is to stay connected with you and provide updates or information that we believe is meaningful. If we ever fail to meet these standards, we encourage you to let us know. Feedback, whether positive or constructive, is always appreciated. Your thoughts help us understand how we can do better and improve our communication approach. While we cannot promise every suggestion will be implemented, we will take the time to carefully review and consider your input. Accessibility and Communication If you have any trouble accessing the unsubscribe page, managing preferences, or understanding why you’re receiving this email, you can reach out directly to our support team. We aim to provide a response within a reasonable time frame and address your concerns effectively. Our communication is designed to be as inclusive as possible, but we know there’s always room for improvement. If you have any feedback on how we can make our emails more accessible or relevant, please don’t hesitate to share. Your Privacy is Important We value your trust and take your privacy very seriously. The information you provide is securely stored and never shared, sold, or used outside the purpose for which you provided it. If you ever want to review how we handle your data, contact us directly. Transparency is our priority, and we’re happy to address any questions you might have. You are always in control of the information you share. If you feel that any part of your subscription or interaction needs clarification, let us know. We’re here to provide accurate answers and ensure your satisfaction. How to Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences We understand that everyone’s inbox is different. If you ever find our emails no longer relevant, there’s no hard feelings. You can easily manage your email preferences or unsubscribe using the link provided below. By clicking the unsubscribe link, you’ll be taken to a page where you can either adjust your communication preferences (such as receiving fewer emails or only on specific topics) or completely remove yourself from our list. The process is straightforward, and any changes will take effect promptly. We don’t use tricks or gimmicks to keep you subscribed. Our priority is to ensure that our emails add value to your day, and if they don’t, we respect your decision to part ways. Legal Information We comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding email communication. This includes adhering to laws and maintaining the highest standards for consent-based communication. Your trust matters, and we work diligently to ensure every email you receive meets these requirements. If you need further clarification on our compliance policies or legal obligations, please ask. Transparency and accountability are central to our communication strategy, and we’re happy to provide additional details if needed. Contact Information We strive to ensure all communication channels are open and readily available to you. Whether it’s a question, comment, or concern, our team is ready to assist. A Final Note Emails are one of the many ways we stay connected, but we understand they aren’t perfect for everyone. If there’s another way you’d prefer to communicate or stay updated, let us know. Whether it’s through social media, a direct call, or another channel, we’re open to finding the most effective way to share information with you. We want to emphasize that our goal is never to disrupt or clutter your inbox. Every email sent is intended to provide value, and we genuinely appreciate your time and attention. Thank you for allowing us to stay in touch with you. This footer was designed to ensure transparency, provide essential information, and give you full control over your communication preferences. We hope it meets your expectations, but if there’s anything you’d like to see improved, we’re always here to listen. Your interaction with our content, in any format, is appreciated. We value your time and the trust you place in our communications. Thank you for being an active member of our community, and we look forward to continued exchanges in the future. If you have missed our previous HTML emails, here is our privacy policy: This message is for those reading in plain text, which may indicate use of an older device. We want to share general information about how we manage privacy and data. We regularly review our systems and follow best practices to help protect your information. Please note, we do not ask for personal payment information by email. You can enable extra sign-in protection and use strong security to help keep your account safe. We collect information you voluntarily provide, such as your name, email address, or phone number. We may also collect technical data from your visit, including browser type, operating system, and your IP address. We use this information to respond to your inquiries, provide access to services, and improve our communications. We do not share your information with unrelated third parties. Some of our services may use third-party tools that store or process data on our behalf. These tools are selected with care and are expected to maintain data responsibly. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age. If we discover that such information was provided without parental consent, we will delete it promptly. We may update this privacy policy occasionally. Changes will be reflected on our privacy policy page. Thank you for your attention. This message is for those reading in plain text, which may indicate use of an older device. We want to share general information about how we manage privacy and data. Thank you for taking the time to read this email. This message is part of an ongoing conversation between us, and I want to take a moment to ensure you have full transparency about why you received this message, how your information is handled, and what to expect from future emails. Why You’re Receiving This Email You’re receiving this email because at some point, you opted in to receive updates, news, or information on a specific topic we’ve previously discussed or shared. Whether it was through a subscription, a form submission, or another form of communication, your information was shared willingly, and we respect your decision to connect with us. If you’re wondering about the nature of our correspondence, rest assured that we aim to keep all emails relevant, timely, and from unnecessary clutter. This includes respecting your inbox and refraining from sending irrelevant messages. Your Privacy is Important We value your trust and take your privacy very seriously. The information you provide is securely stored and never shared, sold, or used outside the purpose for which you provided it. If you ever want to review how we handle your data, contact us directly. Transparency is our priority, and we’re happy to address any questions you might have. You are always in control of the information you share. If you feel that any part of your subscription or interaction needs clarification, let us know. We’re here to provide accurate answers and ensure your satisfaction. How to Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences