Too much Halloween candy? Keep it this long or it’s expired

Trick or treat? It’s treats for us, please! How long should we keep Halloween candy around for?

Who doesn’t love Halloween candy? Or any holiday candy, really. There’s just something about these special treats that make them taste extra delicious. Easter chocolate eggs, Santa-shaped white chocolate bars on Christmas, and pumpkin candy pops, we love them all!

Halloween candy is different, though. We may snack on a few sweets on Christmas and Easter, but October 31st is for collecting candy! You’re never too old for trick-or-treating, but even if you feel that you are, Halloween treats are tough to avoid! Especially for parents. This leaves us with a basket full of candy for days or even weeks! What to do with it all?

Our first thought may be to save up the candy in a jar to snack on throughout the rest of the year until it runs out. Many parents, however, believe it’s okay to store and save the candy for next year’s holiday. Who’s correct? Does candy expire?

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First of all, candy absolutely does expire! There isn’t one solid date for all candy, each treat is different. If you take a look at the “sell by” or “best by” date on the wrapping, you’ll notice not all are the same.

Tip: If you have candy with clear plastic wrapping that doesn’t offer an expiration date, eat those first. It’s best if you don’t leave these for later just to be safe.

Also, “sell by”/”best by” dates aren’t hard-rules, only a guide. It’s still safe to consume candy that has gone past the suggested date, but only by a few weeks!

• Chocolate: Milk and white chocolate is good for up to ten months, but dark chocolate can last up to two years. Just be sure you keep everything stored in a cool and dry place. Really, though, I wouldn’t suggest keeping it around for longer than 10 months.
• Lollipops: If kept in a cool and dry place, hard candy like lollipops can last up to a year.
• Candy corn: The most popular candy this Halloween should be gone no more than five months after the package is open.
• Gum: If sealed and properly stored, you can enjoy gum for six to nine months.

What are your favorite Halloween treats? And remember, avoid a tummy ache, save candy for later!