10 Halloween Candy Brands to AVOID And 5 That Are Actually Better

When you buy Halloween candy, do you ever turn the bag around and look at what actually creates those bright colors? In this video, Shelf Truth takes a closer look at 10 popular Halloween candy brands — including Skittles, Brach’s Candy Corn, M&M’s, Nerds Gummy Clusters, Sour Patch Kids, Starburst, Jolly Rancher, Reese’s Pieces, Trolli and Twizzlers. We look at current ingredient lists and some of the synthetic food dyes still used in popular candies, including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 and Red 3. Why does Red 3 matter? The FDA revoked its authorization for use in food, and manufacturers have until January 2027 to reformulate affected products. At the same time, major candy companies are already introducing products that use different coloring systems — showing that familiar candies can be made differently. This video is not claiming that eating one piece of candy is “poison” or that approved food dyes automatically make a product dangerous. The goal is simpler: Turn the package around. Read the ingredient list. Compare what you’re actually buying. And after the 10 brands worth looking at more closely, we’ll show you 5 alternative candy options if your goal is fewer synthetic colors, simpler ingredients, or less sugar. The front of the bag sells you Halloween. The ingredient list tells you what you’re actually paying for. Subscribe to Shelf Truth for more investigations into the foods, drinks and brands sitting on supermarket shelves every day. #HalloweenCandy #CandyBrands #ShelfTruth Welcome to Shelf Truth — where we take a closer look at the products on America’s shelves. We examine food brands, ingredients, labels, additives, marketing claims, and consumer concerns to help you make more informed choices. Shelf Truth — Know What You Buy. Subscribe for brand comparisons, food investigations, product breakdowns, and smarter shopping insights.