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Posted in Our Blog on October 31, 2024
Halloween candy shelf life and storage tips to keep your goodies fresh!
We live in a very commercialized world. For better or worse. Summer seems to be the time when stores begin to transition to the end of year holidays.
What started as a “Christmas in July” has also evolved into a “Halloween in July.” Don’t believe me? Halloween candies began making their appearances on store shelves as early a July. And I am all for it!
We can pretend that these tasty treats are meant for cute trick-or-treaters dressed in costume on October 31st, but likely most of that candy purchased at the end of the dog days of summer will end up in our own bellies. Long-term storage unnecessary.
However, if you have managed to hold onto some of those Halloween themed goodies and plan to eat them this October, you may be wondering if it is safe to eat.
Most likely, yes. Though depending on what it is and how you store it, quality may slightly diminish.
Read along for some not-so-scary Halloween candy shelf life and storage tips for a less frightful snack this spooky season.
But first, why is Halloween candy out as early as July?
Put simply, Halloween candy is made available as early as July because companies are doing what the people want.
And boy do they want it. Consumers spent more than $3.6 billion on Halloween candy in 2023, up slightly from the year before.
According to the candy industry trade group, National Confectioners Association, these seasonal treats in themed packages are in stores late summer because customers are ready for them.
“It’s in response to consumer demand. And our manufacturers are working very closely with retail partners to make sure that the products are available on shelves because Halloween is about so much more than just October 31,” said Carly Schildhaus, director of public affairs and communications at the National Confectioners Association. “Whether it’s decorating or planning a costume or of course, enjoying some treats. It’s all reflective of how people prioritize and value that celebration now more than ever.”
The big question is, will it hold up until Halloween.
Many won’t mind being told they must eat those goodies now or they will go to waste. They are just waiting to be given the go-ahead to dress in their pumpkin pajamas and binge watch their favorite spooky season movies cuddled under a ghost printed blanket with a cauldron of Halloween candy.
Wait. Is that just me?
According to Schildhaus, the candy has a shelf life that will last throughout the Halloween season.
But what about beyond?
For the most part, the pantry is a safe bet. Storing the goodies in an airtight container in a cool, dry place will extend the shelf life for most products. But you will want to avoid mixing treats with different moisture levels.
For example, don’t mix candies that absorb moisture with those that lose moisture. Creamy candies and fudge may caramels, mints, and hard candies sticky. If opened, keep hard candies in top condition by sprinkling them with finely ground sugar and stored them in an airtight jar.
What other Halloween candy shelf-life extenders?
Love it or hate it, candy corn is a staple Halloween treat. If left unopened and stored in a cool, dry place, these packages will last about nine months.
If opened, you will need to store them properly. A covered candy dish away from heat and light at room temperature does the trick.
Whether pronounced care-a-mel or car-mul, this classic Halloween treat is enjoyed by many. If kept covered and away from heat and light at room temperature, caramel treats can last six to nine months.
But you will probably finish them before that.
Dark, milk, and white. Chocolate in all its forms is a crowd favorite throughout the year. Thankfully, it has a fairly long shelf life.
Dark chocolate, with its reduced milk content, can be kept for a year or two if properly packaged in foil and stored in a cool, dark, and dry place. Think basement or pantry.
Milk and white chocolate keep for slightly shorter. Plan to consume within eight to ten months.
Whether fruit flavored, cinnamon, licorice, or hardened caramel, hard candies can be stored up to a year. Keep them stored in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Don’t forget to observe the general rule of storing them separately from high moisture treats.
Chewing gum is an item some people stock up on. But how long does it actually last?
If sealed, most gum products can keep for six to nine months when stored in a cool dry place. Avoid direct sunlight to keep it in good condition.
Sugar coated orange slices or sour cherry jellied candies were a candy jar favorite growing up. These soft candies can keep for around a year in an unopened package. Once opened, keep them in a covered candy dish away from heat and light at room temperature. When properly stored, an opened package of jellied candies should last six to nine months.
Whether you bought it early or plan to keep them around for awhile longer, you can extend Halloween candy shelf life with a few storage modifications this year. So stock up on that clearance candy November 1st and enjoy those treats well into the next year!
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Halloween Candy Shelf Life and Storage Tips. Keep Your Goodies Fresh This Spooky Season!,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)