How long will your Halloween candy last and when is it time to toss it? (2024)

FAQs

How long will your Halloween candy last and when is it time to toss it? ›

Hard candy - hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location. Jellied candies - if the packaging has been opened, soft candies should be stored away from heat and light at room temperature of about 70 degrees. Stored in this manner, the candy should last 6-9 months.

The answer, interestingly, lies within the candy itself -- its ingredients. Sugar, the quintessential candy ingredient, is not just there for its sweetness. It's a natural preservative that can extend the shelf life of many foods, including candy. It can make some dry hard candies stay good for years!

According to Wright, most candy should be around for nine months. She says that chocolate is going to oxidize a little longer, meaning that the fat contained in the chocolate changes into other substances. This leads to the chocolate creating an unappealing smell and it starts to go bad.

Hard candy like Jolly Ranchers, lollipops and other individually wrapped candies can essentially last forever if they're stored right and kept away from moisture. Dark chocolate can last one to two years in a cool, dark, dry place. Milk and white chocolate will last up to 10 months.

The shelf life of your Halloween candy stash could last from six months to two years, depending on the type of candy it is, and how it's stored.

The first candy was used by the Ancient Egyptians for cult purposes. In ancient times, Egyptians, Arabs, and Chinese made candies with fruits and nuts that caramelized with honey. The two oldest candy types are licorice and ginger. The historical roots of licorice are found in the early years of man's appearance.

Along with damaging our teeth and causing various oral health problems, candy can also impair our overall health. High in sugar, artificial chemicals, preservatives, and calories, eating too much candy can elevate your risk of: Weight gain. Type 2 diabetes.

When should I throw out my Halloween candy? A good rule of thumb is to simply toss it when it stops tasting good. You probably won't get sick — unless you eat all of it in one sitting, that is.

“Yes, candy does expire, but the good news is that most types of candy are good to eat for six to 12 months,” says registered oncology dietician, Kaitlin Mckenzie.

In many communities, trick-or-treating can start as soon as school lets out and can go until 9 p.m., with the bulk of younger trick-or-treaters out and about around sunset (typically around 6 p.m.)

Does mold grow on candy? ›

Moisture and air can cause mold growth. Check the expiration date on the chocolate packaging. Expired chocolate is more susceptible to mold growth (especially if it's a filled chocolate confection), which can diminish the quality of your chocolate.

Although bacteria cannot grow in most confectioneries, pathogens are likely to survive in the product for several months after manufacturing.

Older children should get less than 10% of their calories from added sugar. By that logic, it would make sense to spread out a bagful of candy over several weeks. But on Halloween, it's OK for older children to eat a lot all at once—if they want, said Barnes, an assistant professor of nutrition at La Salle.

Most trick-or-treaters start their trek at sunset after dinnertime, around 5:30 or 6 p.m., and end their collecting by 9 p.m.

A single small piece of Jolly Rancher candy contains around 25 Calories and would take about 3 minutes of jogging to burn off. A small handful of candy corn (about 20 pieces) contains around 150 Calories, in which you would need to carve out 17 minutes for a jog to burn it off.

Most candies do have expiration dates, but like most foods, these dates serve more as guidelines for when to consume them. It's generally fine to eat candy past its expiration date, though the quality and texture does decline after a certain point.

Protect Candy in the Pantry.

While different types of candy have different storage requirements, the pantry is generally a safe place to stash sweets. Airtight storage in a cool place will ensure a longer shelf-life. Some treats may also be frozen.

If you're a cookie-and-candy-craver, don't despair. Sweets can be part of a healthy, lifelong eating pattern. But for the least harm and -- don't forget this -- the fullest enjoyment, they should be eaten in moderation. That means in small amounts, or only a couple of times a week.