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.
What happens when candy goes bad? ›
In candy terms, "going bad" essentially means losing its taste, texture, and visual appeal -- factors that play a crucial role in our candy-crunching experience. And let's be real, a tasteless, misshapen candy is as bad as any spoiled food.
Can sugar candy go bad? ›
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.
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.
Is year old candy safe to eat? ›
“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. The shelf life of a candy also depends on the type of candy and where you store it.
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.
Can bacteria grow on candy? ›
Sugar bloom is similar to fat bloom but it not greasy. Although bacteria cannot grow in most confectioneries, pathogens are likely to survive in the product for several months after manufacturing.
Can sugar go rancid? ›
Granulated white sugar truly has an indefinite expiration date, especially when stored in a dry, dark place. This is the reason why foods like jelly and peanut butter can stay good for so long—because sugar acts as an effective preservative.
What happens when sweets expire? ›
Does Sweets Expiration Date Matter? Most sweets remain edible after they have passed their expiration date. But, their quality, flavour, and texture will deteriorate over time. Regardless, you may enjoy them without jeopardising your health unless you break a tooth.
What happens when sugar expire? ›
It has an indefinite shelf life that doesn't technically expire but will degrade in quality over time. If sugar sits in your cupboard too long, it is likely to crystalize and harden. The color and flavor can change too, so it is recommended to use sugar within two years.
As a result, it may develop an off flavor, have a change in color, or turn moldy if it contains fruits or nuts. Expired candy can also carry microbes that can make you sick.
Can bacteria grow on sweets? ›
Confectionery products are generally low-moisture products whose inherent nature restricts the growth and proliferation of micro- organisms. Thus the incidence of microbial contamination in con- fections, though not completely non-existent is low when compared to that in foods such as meats or egg products.
When should you throw away sugar? ›
If stored adequately, even old sacks of sugar are probably still good. “Sugar, properly stored (tightly closed and in a dry place), has an indefinite shelf life because it does not support microbial growth,” explains Domino Sugar's FAQ page.
Can M&M's go bad? ›
Expired M&M's are generally safe to eat, although their quality might not be optimal. The flavor and texture can degrade after their best by date, but they do not become unsafe to eat unless they show signs of spoilage such as an off smell, taste, or visible mold.
Is it safe to eat expired gummy candy? ›
We generally don't recommend eating expired gummies. They probably won't make you terribly sick like other foods. But expired gummies still have one major safety concern which is mold. Mold produces toxins that cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
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.
Can I eat expired Skittles? ›
Typically, if kept in their original packaging and stored in a cool, dry place, Skittles can last several years beyond their best-before date without significant changes in taste or texture. While the candy may technically be safe to consume after this period, there may be a decline in quality.
