What is candy corn made of? Inside the Halloween candy everyone loves to hate

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.

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 Corn
• Candy Corn Dots
• Fruidles Candy Corn
• Jelly Belly Candy Corn
• Russell Stover Candy Corn Taffy
• So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Candy Corn
• Sweet’s Candy Corn
• YumEarth Candy Corn
• Zachary 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

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Contributing: Mike Snider