Candy - Shelf Life

Shelf Life

Because of its high sugar concentration, bacteria are not usually able to grow in candy. As a result, the shelf life of candy is longer than for many foods. Most candies can be safely stored in their original packaging at room temperature in a dry, dark cupboard for months or years. As a rule, the softer the candy or the damper the storage area, the sooner it goes stale.

Shelf life considerations with most candies are focused on appearance, taste, and texture, rather than about the potential for food poisoning. That is, old candy may not look pretty or taste very good, even though it is very unlikely to make the eater sick. Candy can be made unsafe by storing it badly, such as in a wet, moldy area. Typical recommendations are these:

• Hard candy may last indefinitely in good storage conditions.
• Milk chocolates and caramels usually become stale after about one year.
• Dark chocolate lasts up to two years.
• Soft or creamy candies, like candy corn, may last 8 to 10 months in ideal conditions.
• Chewing gum and gumballs may stay fresh as long as 8 months after manufacture.