Read the Label Before You Buy

The good news is, organic Halloween candy is easy to find, and not just online. Increasingly, neighborhood grocery stores, chains like Whole Foods, and food coops are carrying it, too. Here’s what to look for when you go shopping. The key thing is to read the ingredients label and look for certifications that back up a company’s product claims.

YES

  Organic Certification – The USDA organic seal indicates that the ingredients were produced according to federal organic guidelines.

Real Fruit Juice – Juice made from apples, cherries, lemons, grapes and other fruits is often used to produce hard candy.

Natural Ingredients – These may include real licorice, organic cocoa, organic milk, and herbs like mint (as opposed to ingredient “flavors,” which are synthetic chemicals. You might also find ginger extract, oil of wintergreen, currants, and beta carotene.

  Non-GMO – The non-GMO label indicates ingredients that were produced from crops that were not grown from genetically-modified organisms (GMO

NO

High Fructose Corn Syrup or Artificial Sweeteners – Look for candy sweetened with cane sugar, molasses, honey, stevia or sweet fruits like oranges, grapes and apples.

Artificial Food Coloring and Dye – Rather than Red Dye #40, or another color with a number after it, look for ingredients like beets, carrots, currants, oranges and lemons that impart their color.

Preservatives – Halloween candy is one of those things that people buy and eat right away. You certainly don’t need candy that is preserved to last into next year. Don’t buy more than you need, and you won’t need to worry about when it expires.

Organic Halloween Candy

 YumEarth Organic Lollipops – Buy a few bags of these “suckers” and you’ll be set for the night. In eight luscious flavors: Yumwatermelon, blueberry, sour apple, pomegranate, mango, grape, strawberry and cherry. Yum Earth also sells organic candy drops and gummy bears.

 Surf Sweets Sour Worms – In addition to being made with organic fruit juice and sweeteners, the company donates 1% of the sales of its products to several environmental organizations, including Climate Cycle, Healthy Child Healthy World, and EcoMom Alliance.

 Endangered Species Bug Bites – Choose from organic milk or dark chocolate Bug Bites and Chimp Mints.

  GoNaturally Organic Hard Candies – Available in honey lemon, cherry, pomegranate, and other flavors.

 ZOT Organic Licorice – Made in Italy from organically grown licorice plant root.

 UNREAL Candy Peanut Butter Cups – Though the ingredients aren’t organic, they are “real,” not artificial creations (so…real milk chocolate, caramel and nougat; no corn syrup, preservatives, GMOs, hydrogenated oils, or gluten.

Justin’s Organic Peanut Butter Cups – These are delicious, as well as organic, gluten-free and GMO-free. Available in dark, milk and white chocolate. Very addictive!! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

  Clif Organic Chocolate Brownie Kid ZBars – Technically, these aren’t candy bars. But they can pass for a close second, and they don’t melt nearly as fast as a Kit Kat.

Franny’s Organic Select Raisins in snacksize boxes. I always include boxes of raisins in my Halloween “candy” offerings, even though most kids prefer actual candy. Maybe you’ll have more luck than I.

Alter-Eco Organic Black Truffles – They’re organic, Fair Trade, and delicious. You’ll find them in milk chocolate as well as dark.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED FOR HALLOWEEN?

Find non-toxic face paint, “eco” friendly trick-or-treat bags, decorations, pumpkin carving tools, and costumes in our store. Note: We earn a tiny commission on purchases, which helps us bring you expert content and product recommendations for free. Thanks.

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