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? ›

Store your candy in a cool – room temp or slightly less – and dry place. If it contains nuts or chocolate, it'll expire faster. If not, the less moisture and fat that type of candy has, the longer it will last. Upper end on lifespan for the most persevering candies is two years, but most are about 6 months.

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.

Do they expire? “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.

What is the best time to go trick-or-treating? 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.

“Just depending on what the ingredients are.” 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.

Halloween is celebrated on October 31st, the evening before All Saints' Day. It marks the start of the Allhallowtide season, which lasts three days and includes All Souls' Day on November 2nd. People worldwide engage in Halloween activities, wear costumes, and enjoy the spooky atmosphere of this beloved holiday.

The American Heart Association (AHA) says, “kids ages 2 to 18 should have less than 25 grams of sugar or 6 teaspoons of added sugar.” One way to stay within the guidelines is to be aware of the amount of sugar in popular Halloween candies. For example, in 6 pieces of starburst, there are 16 grams of sugar.

What about candy expiration dates — shouldn't I just adhere to those? 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.

If it contains nuts or chocolate, it'll expire faster. If not, the less moisture and fat that type of candy has, the longer it will last. Upper end on lifespan for the most persevering candies is two years, but most are about 6 months.

What time do trick-or-treaters stop coming? ›

What time does trick-or-treating end? Trick-or-treating, according to popular polling, typically ends around 9 p.m. each Halloween for older kids, with younger kids tiring out at around 8 p.m. Kids may tuck in earlier if it's a school night (and many of their parents may have work in the morning).

After all, Halloween is an occasion for teens to enjoy just as younger kids do. For many teens, it's one of the last vestiges of childhood that they can still participate in. If you're truly nervous, try turning off your lights after 9:00 PM—that should deter Halloween visitors of any age.

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.

One serving can contain 22 grams of sugar, when most health experts recommend no more than 25 grams per day. So if kids insist on eating as much Halloween candy as they can, it shouldn't be a big deal. Besides, if they don't eat all of it, numerous organizations take in candy to donate.

You could even let them have melting candies as early as two. However, candies like caramel, jelly beans, lollipops and peppermints shouldn't be given to your child until they are at least four. Not only are sticky candies and hard candies worse for teeth, but they can also be choking hazards.

According to a 2021 Ibotta survey, the best time to buy candy in preparation for Halloween is four days before the goblins begin ringing your doorbell. If you're looking to save a few more bucks, you should also consider buying bulk packages rather than smaller bags or individual candy bars.

Follow the 50/50 rule.

Zimmerman recommends that candy generally be stored at around 50 degrees and 50 percent relative humidity. Wilbur Chocolate in Lancaster, however, says that 63 to 68 degrees is the ideal temperature range for storing candy.

According to Blakeslee, if a candy appears extremely sticky or has a grainy texture, then it has most likely expired due to temperature abuse and the crystallization of sugar. As a result, she said, it may develop an off flavor, have a change in color or turn moldy if it contains fruits or nuts.

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.