Do You know What You’re Eating: Halloween Edition

With the spooky season incoming, it’s important to be somewhat aware of what you’re mindlessly consuming during the temporary fall-inspired food era and Halloween. This article discusses the surprising ingredients in everyday candy and foods, as well as their effects. 

To be honest, I had no idea my beloved M&M candies could lead to heart disease. And the list of sweets containing unsafe dyes, carcinogens, and heavy metals was much longer than I thought it would be. Don’t worry too much about this, though. At least there are some candies that are better for you. Not better, actually. Maybe less… cancer-causing?

What’s In Candy Corn?

Did you know candy corn isn’t actually made from corn? (I hope you knew that, by the way.) 

It got its name because it was first known in the 1880s as ‘Chicken Feed’ because corn was used as food to feed chickens before World War 1, where it became more of a food for humans. 

Known as the most hated Halloween candy while simultaneously being the worst candy for your health, candy corn can’t catch a break. Most people say they don’t like the candy because of its waxy, “candle-like texture”, and that’s actually because it’s coated in confectioner’s glaze. And you probably didn’t know that confectioner’s glaze is made from insects, their secretions to be exact! 

Its colorings, the iconic orange, yellow, and white, are created by artificial dyes. Most people have heard of the infamous Red 40 dye—and while it’s considered safe by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), its safety for human consumption remains a topic of debate. Some studies show that it can lead to increased cancer risks, but others say there is no link between the dye. However, Yellow 6 (sunset yellow) is known to be linked to potential health risks… yummy. One of the dye’s components, benzidine, is a potential carcinogen. A carcinogen is a substance that is an agent or substance that causes cancer.

What’s In Nerd Gummy Clusters?

Did you know that the Nerd Gummy Clusters, currently known as the most popular Nerds candy, was invented to solve the problem of portability in the company’s products? The original Nerds and Nerds rope caused messes, and it wasn’t something that you could take with you on the go. Nerds Gummy Clusters are loved not only for their interesting texture and flavor, but also for their “poppability”.  

The viral candy, known and loved by many, is designed to be that way. Nerds, especially the clusters, are considered hyperpalatable. That means the food is specifically made to become almost addictive to customers. The gummy is small and sweet, with a weaker aftertaste, making people reach for more and more. 

This creates an overconsumption problem; the serving size is 16 pieces, but most people don’t actually pay attention to the quantity they eat. The Environmental Working Group finds that “This product is 70% sugar by weight and contains 5 teaspoons of added and natural sugar per serving.” The high sugar content and the amount of these candies consumed daily can create issues, and the other ingredients in these sweets have caught the attention of many nutritionists. 

Again, as stated before, and like many other candies, dyes and chemicals in food have always been an issue. They are less expensive and more vibrant in food products, so they show up almost everywhere. And with a treat as addictive as this, the amounts of artificial dyes quickly add up.

What’s In Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers?

One of the most revered gummy candies out there- the sour gummy worms from Trolli. They’re multicolor, multiflavor, and have a perfect mix of sweet and sour. But like almost every gummy candy on the market, the perfectly chewy texture is made with gelatin. Of course, there’s always the issue with sugars, additives, and dyes (that are derived from petroleum!), but most people don’t know what exactly gelatin is made from.

Gelatin is completely safe to eat. It’s a naturally occurring substance in animal collagen. 

Which is obtained by… boiling animal parts such as bones, connective tissues, and skin. Fun!

Before boiling, the parts are, of course, cleaned, then treated in an acid or an alkaline solution for weeks to break down the collagen’s structure. After it is boiled, it cools to form a gel-like structure. 

According to Trolli’s official website, “To give our gummy candies their unique texture, we use only high-quality gelatine of porcine (pig) and bovine (cow) origin. To make sure we offer the best in every bag, our raw materials are regularly checked by external laboratories and have always obtained the best marks.” Well, good to know the animal parts used in their candies are considered premium!

What Should You Be Reaching For Instead?

Now that you know the… delicious components of things you’ve most likely eaten before, you may think there’s no hope. (Disclaimer 1: Most things are regulated to safer amounts in food, but the FDA sometimes allows certain additives, dyes, and chemicals that other countries’ food and drug regulations don’t. In certain amounts, they are mostly safe.)

But have no fear! Here’s a list of candies that are better to reach for and their better ingredients. (Disclaimer 2: There is probably no “healthy candy”. Just a little less harmful!)

• Candy with nuts: Peanut M&Ms and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

While they still have some less healthy ingredients, eating candy with nuts gives you benefits like antioxidants, healthy fats, and vitamins. While candy isn’t the best way to get the minerals and vitamins you need, eating candies that are at least somewhat better for you can really help

• Dark chocolate: Hershey’s Special Dark

According to St. Pete Oral Health Center, “Dark chocolate has less sugar and is loaded with antioxidants. It’s actually good for you!” Of course, it’s still chocolate, but going for something with a lower amount of sugar will always be a better choice. Personally, I love dark chocolate. Just give it a try!

• Reduced sugar/ Artificial sweeteners: Zolli Candy

While some artificial sweeteners can have their own health effects, usually going for something with lower sugar or a sweetener substitute is the best option. Zolli candy is sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan/vegetarian, and allergen-free! While I’ve never tried it, it seems to be very highly recommended and enjoyable by many.