- Pixy Stix ranks as the candy with the highest sugar quantity, with a substantial 95g of sugar per 100g.
- Jawbreakers closely follow, with 94g of sugar, while Runts ranks third, with 93g.
- Red Vines Black Licorice is the lowest-sugar option this Halloween, with only 33g of sugar per 100g.
This Halloween, a new study has found that Pixy Stix contains the highest quantity of sugar, as opposed to Red Vines Black Licorice, which has the least.
The research, conducted by QR Code Generator, analyzed 100 beloved American candies to uncover which products contained the most sugar per 100 grams.
Securing the top position is Pixy Stix, which, despite its relatively low-calorie content—60 calories per portion—contains a significant 95g of sugar per 100g. The sweet and sour powdered candy has enjoyed popularity among consumers since its origin in 1942. Unfortunately, per 16g serving, they still contain 15g of sugar.
Halloween Candy with the Highest Sugar Content
Jawbreakers are second, with 94g of sugar per 100g, meaning a 17g portion has 16g of sugar. A large mix of artificial flavoring and colors is necessary to create a variety of fruity flavors for this multi-layered candy. It’s important to highlight that indulging in two portions of Jawbreakers will exceed your recommended daily added sugar intake.
Securing the third spot, Runts contains 93g of sugar per 100g of product. An astonishing 9 million pounds of candy are mixed up each year at the Wonka factory in Illinois. The candies are in five different fruit shapes, colors, and flavors. This seasonal favorite might make trick-or-treaters hesitate, as a 15g serving contains 14g of sugar.
Nerds Candy ranks fourth this Halloween with 92g of sugar per 100g. With over 135,000 pounds of Nerds produced every single day, a recommended serving size of 15g is advised due to its substantial sugar content, representing 27% of the daily recommended added sugar intake.
Another candy beloved by Americans, Pop Rocks, claims the fifth position with 90g of sugar per 100g of the product—just falling short of Nerds. However, even a tiny 10g portion of this popping candy contributes significantly, constituting almost one-third of your daily recommended added sugar intake.
Rounding out the top ten, you will find SweetTarts and Bottle Caps containing just under 88g and 87g of sugar, respectively. Smarties are a close contender with 86g of sugar, Fun Dip with 83g of sugar, and Gobstoppers with 81g of sugar.
In contrast, Red Vines Black Licorice emerges as a more health-conscious choice. While disfavored by many, these licorice candies stand out with the lowest sugar content, measuring just 33g per 100g of the product—nearly three times less sugar than Pixy Stix. Notably, the licorice also secures one of the lowest calorie counts at 333 calories.
Halloween Candy with the Lowest Sugar Content
Ranked second is Lindt Milk Chocolate, the first chocolate in the ranking, featuring 38g of sugar per 100g. Originating in Switzerland, this confection has grown popular among American consumers. A 36g portion of Lindt comprises 14g of total sugars, constituting 12% of your recommended daily added sugar intake.
Haribo Goldbears follow, and they are sold in over 120 countries worldwide. They secure the third spot with 39g of sugar per 100g of the product. While they boast the second-lowest calorie count of 278 calories per 100g, they include 14g of sugar in a 36g product serving.
Next in the lineup is Original Red Vines, another product of the beloved licorice brand. 100g of this product will already have over twice the sugar of Pixy Stix, totaling 33g. This licorice brand also finds its place among the candies with lower calorie counts, registering at just 333 calories per 100g—the same as the black licorice.
Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews is in fifth place, with just under 41g of sugar per 100g of product. This classic treat has been a staple in trick-or-treating baskets for decades. For reference, a 27g serving will contribute 130 calories and 11g of sugar.
A Butterfinger, at just over 42g of sugar, completes the list before a PayDay, at 43g. Goobers, Strawberry Twizzlers, and Mounds bars follow at 44g of sugar each.
Commenting on the findings, Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator PRO S.L., said, “Amidst the Halloween fun, it’s easy to overlook how much sugar children consume in just one night. The sugary treats that fill their bags can pack more than the daily recommended sugar intake in just a few bites. For parents of young kids, it’s crucial to be mindful of what’s actually in that candy haul.
“This overconsumption can lead to spikes in energy, mood swings, and long-term health concerns. It’s important to be aware of the sugar levels and encourage moderation. Instead of cutting the fun short, we can manage it by offering alternative treats, allowing a few candies at a time, and balancing the holiday excitement with healthier choices.”
Sources: YouGov, Walmart
Methodology: Determined the top 100 favorite Halloween candy items inspired by public data – excluding anything not considered candy, e.g., ‘crisps, salted pretzels.’ Then, nutritional information was collected from Walmart, one of the primary stores where Americans shop for Halloween sweets. The website offers information on nutritional value under each product and images of all the products’ dietary labels. Information was primarily taken from ‘fun-size,’ ‘snack size,’ and ‘mini’ versions to replicate ‘trick or treat’ serving sizes. Data was then ranked accordingly by calculating the final values per 100g for easy comparison.
Information from http://www.qrfy.com/