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Candy Life and Storage

Candy questions: Candy Life and Storage Wholesale Candy

Candy Life and Storage

Like food, candy and other confectionaries have a shelf life. While different types of candy have different storage requirements, generally the pantry is a safe place to stash sweets. Airtight storage in a cool place will ensure a longer shelf-life. A number of candies may be frozen as well. How long will candy keep? How to store candy? What is the shelf life of candy? Find the answers to these mysteries below.

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F.A.Q. | Candy | Candy Life & Storage | Measure Chart


General information is Provided by the National Confectioners Association (NCA). Shelf life for specific products is provided by the manufacturer of those products. The shelf life is the time when the manufacturer determines that the original quality of the product has started to deteriorate and is measured from date of manufacture.

     
Candy Shelf Life Comments
Altoids Gum 12 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Altoids Mints 18 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Altoids Sours 18 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Amorini Hearts 10 months Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company
Big League Chew 9 - 15 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Big Red Gum 10 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Bubble Beeper 9 - 12 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Bubble Gum 4 - 6 months Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company
Bubble Jug 9 - 12 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Butterscotches 1 year

Hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location.

Candy Bars The average shelf for a chocolate candy bar is anywhere up to six (6) months, however, certain candies such as Necco Wafers, Smarties, Starburst Fruit Chews or Nerds can last considerably longer due to their consistency. Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company
Candy Corn 3 - 9 months If the packaging has been opened, candy corn should be stored under the same conditions as soft candies and will last approximately three to six months. Unopened, fresh packages will last about 9 months.
Caramel 6 - 9 months Should be kept covered, away from heat and light at room temperature. Stored properly should last six to nine months, even up to 12 months in some cases.
Chocolate - Dark 1 - 2 years

Dark chocolate can be kept for 1 to 2 years if wrapped in foil and stored in a cool, dark and dry place. A pantry or basement is an ideal location.

Chocolate - Milk 8 - 10 months  
Chocolate - White 8 - 10 months  
Crème Savers 9 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Crystal Craze 9 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Delites 13 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Dentyne Ice Gum 18 months Provided by: Cadbury Schweppes
Doublemint Gum 10 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Eclipse Flash Breath Strips 12 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Eclipse Gum 12 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Extra 9 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Freedent Gum 10 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Ghirardelli Chocolate Most Ghirardelli products have two codes printed on them. The first code, a five- or six-digit sequence, represents the product's lot code. The second code, a six-digit sequence, is the best-before date written as MMDDYY. To determine the best-before date, just read the second code. Provided by: Ghirardelli
Godiva Chocolates Godiva Chocolates will stay fresh tasting at room temperature for up to 2-3 weeks, as long as they are kept away from heat and humidity. Specifically, the temperature should not exceed 70 degrees (F) and the relative humidity should remain below 60%. Avoid direct sunlight. Provided by: Godiva
Gum 6 - 9 months As long as the packaging remains sealed, most gum products have a shelf-life of six to nine months. To maximize product freshness, keep chewing gum packages in a cool, dry place and out of any direct sunlight.
Gummi Candy 6 months Most gummi candies such as gummi bears, peachy penguins, strawberry puffs, etc are good for up to (six) months although they will diminish in quality if exposed high temperatures. Provided by: Buddy Bears Gummi Bears
Gummi Savers 9 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Hard Candy 1 year Hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location.
Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape 6 - 12 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Jellied Candies 6 - 12 months If the packaging has been opened, soft candies should be kept in a covered candy dish, away from heat and light at room temperature (about 70 degrees). Stored in this manner, the candy should last six to nine months. If the packaging has not been opened, soft sweets will last approximately 12 months.
Jelly Belly Jelly Beans 8 months Provided by: Jelly Belly Candy Company
Jordan Almonds (Confetti) 5 months Although the shelf life is said to be up to five (5) months, we suggest that you do not hold them for longer than two (2) to three (3) months to ensure that they are absolutely fresh. Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company
Juicy Fruit Grapermelon 12 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Juicy Fruit Gum 10 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Juicy Fruit Strappleberry 12 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Lifesavers 12 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Lifesavers Bag 9 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Jolly Rancher Gummies 9 months Provided by: The Hershey Company
Kit Kat Bites 9 months Provided by: The Hershey Company
Kit Kat Wafer Bar 12 months Provided by: The Hershey Company
Lollipops 6 - 12 months Hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location.
M&M's - 13 months According to the manufacturer, the life span of M&M's is up to thirteen (13) months providing that it remains in it's factory sealed package and not exposed to heat. Although M&M's are durable, like any chocolate product, they will melt if exposed to high temperatures. Provided by: Mars, Incorporated
Milk Duds 9 months Provided by: The Hershey Company
Mr. Goodbar Bites 9 months Provided by: The Hershey Company
Novelty Candy 6 - 8 months Most novelties candies are nothing more than candy such as bubble gum or dextrose encased in a plastic outer shell. The life span of most novelty candies is six to eight months and depends on the type of candy chosen. Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company
Orbit Gum 9 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Orbit White Gum 10 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Ouch 9 - 12 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Reese's Bites 11 months Provided by: The Hershey Company
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups 6 months Provided by: The Hershey Company
Reese's Pieces 12 months Provided by: The Hershey Company
Russell Stover Candies All products contain a "Best Before" date. It can be found at either the end of the box (on the clear wrap) or in a "Best Before" panel. In the "Best Before" date, the first three letters show the month and the two digits show the year. Put the two together to see by when your candy should be purchased and consumed. Provided by: Russell Stover Candies
Twizzlers Cherry Bites 7 months Provided by: The Hershey Company
Twizzlers Strawberry Twists 7 months Provided by: The Hershey Company
Unwrapped Bulk Candy - 5-6 months Most unwrapped bulk candies remains fresh for five (5) to six (6) months, however, certain items such as Candy Roll Wafers, Runts, Rock Candy Strings and Candy Blocks will last longer due to their consistency.
Candies such as Good & Plenty, Licorice, Mexican Hats or Red Dollars tend to taste better when fresh and we suggest that you store them for no longer than two (2) months. Chocolate candies such as Bridge Mix, Chocolate Pretzels, Double Dipped Chocolate Peanuts or Malted Milk Balls tend to have a shorter shelf life and this applies to any candy that has peanuts as one of the ingredients. Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company
Whoppers Malted Milk Balls 9 months Provided by: The Hershey Company
Winterfresh Gum 10 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
Wrapped Bulk Candy 5-6 months Most wrapped bulk candy remains fresh for five (5) to six (six) months especially if it is a hard candy such as a Butterscotch Disk, Starlight Mint or Root Beer Barrel. Softer candies such as Caramel Creams or Brach's Royals have a shorter shelf life due to their consistency. Certain candies such as Anise Squares, Brach's Ice Blue Mints, Jolly Ranchers or Sour Balls have a much longer shelf life and are ideal for long term use. Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company
Wrigley's Spearmint Gum 10 months Provided by: The Wrigley Company
York Bites 9 months Provided by: The Hershey Company
The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For manufactured products, always follow manufacturer's recommendations and directions.