Newswise — When checking your child's Halloween candy to make sure it is safe to eat, also keep in mind the candy's shelf life, according to Kansas State University food experts.
K-State's Karen Blakeslee, research and extension associate for food safety, and Fadi Aramouni, professor of food science, say that the shelf life of candy can vary.
"The shelf life depends on the type of candy, packaging and storage conditions," Blakeslee said. "Shelf life can vary anywhere from two weeks to a year."
More specifically, Aramouni said these factors contribute to how long the quality of the candy lasts. In terms of safety, he said the shelf life of some candy, like hard candy, may be indefinite; however, he said there have been cases of salmonella poisoning from the consumption of expired chocolate.
"It depends on properties of the candy itself: how much moisture is in it and how much fat," Aramouni said.
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 general rule to follow is that the softer the candy, then the shorter the shelf life it will have. Keeping candy in a cool, dry and dark place is the best way to store it, Blakeslee said.
"The less exposure to air, the better," she said. "Also, store it at room temperature. Heat can cause many candies to melt and get too sticky. Chocolate can get a powdery look to it -- called bloom -- because of temperature changes, but it is still fine to eat."
So the next time a craving for candy strikes, Aramouni recommends checking labels and staying level-headed.
"It is OK to throw away old candy," he said. "Don't feel compelled to eat it. It's mostly empty calories after all."
For more specific information Aramouni and Blakeslee recommend the following guidelines from the National Confectioners Association regarding the shelf life of various types of candy.
* Chocolate: Dark chocolate can be kept for one to two years if wrapped in foil and stored in a cool, dark and dry place. Milk and white chocolates last no more than eight to 10 months.
* Hard candy: Lollipops, roll candy and butterscotch candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in cool, dry conditions.
* Jellied candies: Upon opening the packaging and storing at room temperature, jellied candies can last six to nine months.
* Gum: Most gum products can last six to nine months as long as the packaging remains sealed.
* Caramel: When stored properly at room temperature and away from the heat and light, caramel candy can last six to nine months -- and even up to a year in some cases.
FAQs
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.
How to tell if candy has gone bad? ›
If there's a significant change in flavor or if the candy tastes off, it's time to bid farewell. Keep in mind that it's perfectly okay to take a small taste to judge this -- you're unlikely to get sick from a tiny piece of expired candy.
Can you eat expired sweets? ›
“In the case of most commercially processed foods, it's contamination during processing and packaging that leads to foodborne illness, not the age of the food. So, even after some time passes, candy should be safe to eat as long as it was properly handled and it remains unopened prior to eating.”
Is year old candy safe to eat? ›
Further guidance by the National Confectioners Association says that hard candies can last up to one year when stored in a cool, dry location or at room temperature.
Does candy go bad if left open? ›
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.
What candy has the longest shelf life? ›
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.
Do dum dum lollipops expire? ›
Dum-Dums have a shelf life of 36 months. The “Best By” date for all Spangler Candy products is indicated on each package. Products should be stored in a cool, dry environment.
Can you eat chocolate 2 years out of date? ›
Dark chocolate, with its higher cacao content, can be good to eat for as long as three years past the best before. Due to their high milk contents, milk and white chocolates might not last as long as dark, but their longevity is still nothing to sniff at — you can expect to get another 8 months or so out of it.
Does honey expire? ›
“Honey does not spoil, however for best quality, the USDA recommends storing honey for up to 12 months,” Amidor says. “After that time, it remains safe but the quality may not be as good. If the honey becomes cloudy, crystallized or solidified this is not a food safety concern.”
Is it OK to eat old sugar? ›
Technically, sugar never spoils. While it's recommended that granulated sugar be discarded after two years, chances are it will still serve its baking purpose even beyond that. The same guidelines apply to brown sugar and confectioner's or powdered sugar.
Hard candies essentially have an indefinite shelf life, provided they are stored properly. Items like lollipops, Jolly Ranchers, and other individually wrapped candies do best without exposure to moisture.
Can M&M's go bad? ›
Spotting spoilage in M&M's involves observing for changes in texture, flavor, and appearance. Indications such as a whitish coating, which could be fat bloom, or any discoloration suggest the candy may have gone beyond its best quality, though not necessarily bad. It may lose its characteristic crunch and become stale.
Do twizzlers expire? ›
However, if properly stored, licorice candy has a shelf life of 6-12 months and will remain safe to consume well past its expiration date. So yes, it is safe to eat expired Twizzlers! The only time you need to worry is if there's an off smell or mold appears on your licorice.
Are Jolly Ranchers bad? ›
Jolly Rancher
But while candies like Jolly Ranchers are low in fat, they are high in sugar content. Bedwell is not a fan of such especially sugary candies. “The worst types are the ones that are pretty much just 100 percent sugar, so things like jelly beans,” she says.
Do Tootsie Pops expire? ›
“Do Tootsie Pops expire or go bad? Just wondering. Best Answer: If kept in an airtight container, they can last years. If they are out in the open, then they would still last a couple months before they get a "stale" outer coating.”
How do you know if sweets have gone bad? ›
"It depends on properties of the candy itself: how much moisture is in it and how much fat," Aramouni said. 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.
How do you know if candy is safe to eat? ›
Safety Tips For Checking Halloween Candy
- An unusual appearance or discoloration.
- Tiny pinholes or tears in wrappers.
- Spoiled or unwrapped items.
- Homemade items or baked goods should be discarded unless you personally know who gave them.
- When in doubt, throw it out.
Pipe the candy melts into the candy mold, taking care to fill in all the edges and crevices. Tap the mold gently on the counter to release any air bubbles. Place the filled mold into the fridge for 20-30 minutes or until the bottom of the mold appears cloudy – this means the candy has set.
How long does it take for sweets to go bad? ›
If the packaging has been opened, soft candies should be kept in a covered candy dish, away from heat and light at room temperature (about 70 degrees). Stored in this manner, the candy should last six to nine months. If the packaging has not been opened, soft sweets will last approximately 12 months.
How can you tell if gummy candy is bad? ›
If your gummy bears have become dull, faded or discolored, they are past their best before date. If gummy bears become hard, crunchy or sticky, that means they have lost moisture or gone bad and should be thrown away.
