<p><img src="/gcdn/presto/2021/09/30/USAT/eae1f2f6-7395-4f0f-9131-7fb263904deb-USE_Candy_Corn_Lifestyle.png?crop=998,561,x57,y0&width=660&height=371&format=pjpg&auto=webp" width="100%" /><p>Even if you hate candy corn, you still probably associate it with <a href="/story/life/holidaykind/2023/09/04/when-is-halloween-2023/70613622007/">Halloween</a>. The orange and yellow kernels conjure memories of fall and the spooky season. Created in the late 19th century, candy corn was originally called “chicken feed” and was <a href="/story/money/food/2022/10/02/candy-corn-halloween-candy-trick-or-treat/8105627001/">marketed to agricultural and rural families</a>.</p><p>Today, it’s a divisive candy option, but still ranks <a href="/story/news/nation/2023/10/10/most-popular-halloween-candy/71120980007/">number 8 on the top 10 most popular candies</a> in America, according to CandyStore.com. </p><p>Here’s what’s behind the iconic <a href="/story/life/2022/10/18/best-halloween-jokes/10527232002/">Halloween</a> candy choice.</p><img width="100%" /><h2>What is candy corn made of?</h2><p>Candy is <a href="/story/money/food/2022/10/02/candy-corn-halloween-candy-trick-or-treat/8105627001/">mostly made of sugar and corn syrup,</a> but it also contains salt, sesame oil, honey, artificial flavor, food colorings, gelatin and confectioner’s glaze.</p><p>Confectioner’s glaze, also known as shellac, is made from lac-resin, a bug secretion. The lac bug is a parasite that secretes a waxy, waterproof coating to protect itself. Workers <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/bugs-in-your-food-1968428">scrape those secretions</a> – and sometimes the bugs themselves – from plants to use in paints, cosmetics and other products. </p><p>And while you may be weirded out by bug secretions in your candy, it’s a process that’s “not unusual at all,” Paul Adams, a senior editor at Cook’s Illustrated Magazine, <a href="/story/money/food/2022/10/02/candy-corn-halloween-candy-trick-or-treat/8105627001/">told USA TODAY</a> in 2022. It’s also found in gum, jelly beans, Milk Duds, Whoppers and even the glossy coating on pills. </p><p><strong>Candy corn lore:</strong><a href="/story/money/food/2023/10/15/halloween-candy-corn-iconic-treat/71146047007/">Behind the divisive Halloween treat</a></p><h2>Is candy corn gluten-free?</h2><p>Usually. Because candy corn is not made with wheat products, it’s typically safe for those who can’t eat gluten. But it depends on the brand – some candy corn may be manufactured in facilities that also process wheat.</p><p>While you should always check the packaging to verify gluten-free candy, here’s a list of <a href="https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/safe-gluten-free-halloween-candy-chocolate-list-r4930/">brands that are generally safe</a>, from Celiac.com:</p><ul>Coastal Bay Confections Candy CornCandy Corn DotsFruidles Candy CornJelly Belly Candy CornRussell Stover Candy Corn TaffySo Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Candy CornSweet’s Candy CornYumEarth Candy CornZachary Candy Corn</ul><p>Brach’s Candy Corn is processed in a facility where <a href="https://www.brachs.com/products/candy-corn">wheat and other allergens are used</a> in other products.</p><h2>Is candy corn healthy?</h2><p>Candy corn, like <a href="/story/life/food-dining/2023/10/14/healthiest-candy-for-halloween/71087239007/">many other Halloween candies</a>, doesn’t provide any nutritional value. A serving of candy corn has about 22 grams of sugar. The American Heart Association <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/how-much-sugar-is-too-much#:~:text=Men%20should%20consume%20no%20more,day's%20allotment%20in%20one%20slurp.">recommends no more than</a> 36 grams of sugar for men and 25 grams of sugar for women per day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children over 2 limit their daily sugar intake to <a href="https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/7331/Added-sugar-in-kids-diets-How-much-is-too-much?autologincheck=redirected">less than 25 grams.</a></p><p>But that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself on Halloween. Letting yourself splurge on Halloween in the context of an overall balanced, nutritional diet can help you cultivate a <a href="/story/life/food-dining/2023/09/17/what-is-the-healthiest-diet/70836380007/">healthier relationship with food</a>.</p><p>“I would not count the grams of sugar, I don’t recommend counting grams of sugar day-to-day anyways but don’t stress about that on Halloween night,” Rose Britt, a registered dietitian with <a href="https://www.topnutritioncoaching.com/registered-dietitians#rose-britt">Top Nutrition Coaching</a>, previously told USA TODAY.</p><p><strong>Trick or treat!:</strong><a href="/story/life/food-dining/2023/10/14/healthiest-candy-for-halloween/71087239007/">We're breaking down the healthiest Halloween candy options</a></p><h2>More fall and Halloween stories for a fright-filled October </h2><ul><strong>Halloween memes:</strong><a href="/story/life/2022/10/20/75-best-halloween-memes/10533025002/">Tickle your funny bone with these 75 gags</a><strong>What are fall colors?</strong><a href="/story/news/2024/09/18/what-are-fall-colors/75207651007/">The science behind the changing autumn leaves</a><strong>How many Friday the 13th movies are there?</strong><a href="/story/life/2023/01/12/how-many-friday-the-13-th-movies-are-there/11032149002/">Start your marathon here</a><strong>Where to find cheap Halloween costumes:</strong><a href="/story/money/2024/09/14/cheap-halloween-decoration-costume-ideas/75205090007/">Don't scare your wallet this spooky season</a><strong>Get your decorations out:</strong><a href="/story/money/problem-solved/2024/09/22/halloween-decor-witch-cauldron-diy/75294344007/">How to make a bubbling witch cauldron</a><strong>Halloween is getting cheaper:</strong><a href="/story/money/shopping/2024/09/25/halloween-shopping-costumes-decorations-candy/75365226007/">Here's how much we spend every year</a></ul><h2>Just Curious for more? We've got you covered</h2><p>USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From <a href="/story/life/holidaykind/2023/09/04/when-is-halloween-2023/70613622007/">"When is Halloween?"</a> to <a href="/story/life/food-dining/2024/01/14/what-is-healthiest-apple/72155568007/">"What is the healthiest apple?"</a> to <a href="/story/news/2023/01/02/what-leaf-peeping-fall-foliage/10704528002/">"What is leef peeping?"</a> – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our <a href="/just-curious/">Just Curious section</a> to see what else we can answer for you. </p><p>Contributing: Mike Snider</p></p>
Even if you hate candy corn, you still probably associate it with Halloween. The orange and yellow kernels conjure memories of fall and the spooky season. Created in the late 19th century, candy corn was originally called “chicken feed” and was marketed to agricultural and rural families.
Today, it’s a divisive candy option, but still ranks number 8 on the top 10 most popular candies in America, according to CandyStore.com.
Here’s what’s behind the iconic Halloween candy choice.
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What is candy corn made of?
Candy is mostly made of sugar and corn syrup, but it also contains salt, sesame oil, honey, artificial flavor, food colorings, gelatin and confectioner’s glaze.
Confectioner’s glaze, also known as shellac, is made from lac-resin, a bug secretion. The lac bug is a parasite that secretes a waxy, waterproof coating to protect itself. Workers scrape those secretions – and sometimes the bugs themselves – from plants to use in paints, cosmetics and other products.
And while you may be weirded out by bug secretions in your candy, it’s a process that’s “not unusual at all,” Paul Adams, a senior editor at Cook’s Illustrated Magazine, told USA TODAY in 2022. It’s also found in gum, jelly beans, Milk Duds, Whoppers and even the glossy coating on pills.
Candy corn lore:Behind the divisive Halloween treat
Is candy corn gluten-free?
Usually. Because candy corn is not made with wheat products, it’s typically safe for those who can’t eat gluten. But it depends on the brand – some candy corn may be manufactured in facilities that also process wheat.
While you should always check the packaging to verify gluten-free candy, here’s a list of brands that are generally safe, from Celiac.com:
Coastal Bay Confections Candy CornCandy Corn DotsFruidles Candy CornJelly Belly Candy CornRussell Stover Candy Corn TaffySo Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Candy CornSweet’s Candy CornYumEarth Candy CornZachary Candy Corn
Brach’s Candy Corn is processed in a facility where wheat and other allergens are used in other products.
Is candy corn healthy?
Candy corn, like many other Halloween candies, doesn’t provide any nutritional value. A serving of candy corn has about 22 grams of sugar. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 36 grams of sugar for men and 25 grams of sugar for women per day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children over 2 limit their daily sugar intake to less than 25 grams.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself on Halloween. Letting yourself splurge on Halloween in the context of an overall balanced, nutritional diet can help you cultivate a healthier relationship with food.
“I would not count the grams of sugar, I don’t recommend counting grams of sugar day-to-day anyways but don’t stress about that on Halloween night,” Rose Britt, a registered dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching, previously told USA TODAY.
Trick or treat!:We're breaking down the healthiest Halloween candy options
More fall and Halloween stories for a fright-filled October
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "When is Halloween?" to "What is the healthiest apple?" to "What is leef peeping?" – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.
Contributing: Mike Snider
