Revealed: The Halloween candy with most and least sugar intake, according to new data

This Halloween, a new study has found that Nerds Candy contains the highest quantity of sugar, as opposed to Twizzlers which has the least.

The research, conducted by nicotine pouch enthusiasts Snusboss, analyzed over 50 beloved Halloween candies to uncover which products contained the most sugar per 100 grams.

Nerds Candy leads the ranking this Halloween with a notable 93g 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.

Securing second position is Sour Patch Kids, which, despite their relatively low-calorie content, measuring in at 367 calories per 100g, contain a significant 80g of sugar. These fun-shaped snacks have enjoyed popularity among consumers since their establishment in 1985. Unfortunately, they also rank among the candies with the highest sugar content per serving, with 30g of product containing 24g of sugar.

In third place is Swedish Fish. Despite sharing a similar calorie count with Sour Patch Kids at 367 per 100g, Swedish Fish contain a slightly lower sugar content of 77g per 100g. It’s important to highlight that indulging in five of these small fish-shaped candies will contribute to a significant 46% of your recommended daily added sugar intake.

With an astonishing annual production of over 9 billion kernels and its own national day, Candy Corn secures the fourth spot, containing 74g of sugar per 100g of the product. This seasonal favorite might make trick-or-treaters hesitate, as it ranks among the candies with the highest sugar content per serving, with 23g of sugar in a recommended 30g portion. 

Skittles, another candy beloved by Americans, claims the fifth position with 73g of sugar per 100g of the product—just falling short of Candy Corn. This colorful treat’s appeal extends across the globe, as it’s sold in more than 60 countries. However, even a small 15g portion of Skittles contributes significantly, constituting 22% of your daily recommended added sugar intake.

Rounding out the top ten, you will find Sugar Babies and Sweet Tarts, both containing just under 73g of sugar. Charms Blow Pops are a close contender with 72g of sugar, and Werther’s and Dum Dum Pops each contain 69g of sugar.

In contrast, Twizzlers emerge as a more health-conscious choice. These licorice candies stand out with the lowest sugar content, measuring just 38g per 100g of the product—nearly 2.5 times less sugar than Nerds. Notably, Twizzlers also secure the second-lowest calorie count per 100g, narrowly surpassed by Funables Fruit Snacks, at 324 calories.

Next in the lineup is Red Vines, often seen as a direct competitor to Twizzlers. Opting for a 30g recommended serving will consume approximately half the sugar content when compared to Swedish Fish, totaling 12g. This licorice brand also finds its place among the candies with lower calorie counts, registering at just 333 calories per 100g.

Ranked third is Butterfinger, the first chocolate bar in the ranking, featuring 41g of sugar per 100g. This confection has seen a recent uptick in popularity among American consumers, with a sales increase of 19.5% to reach $57.6 million in the past year. An 18g fun-sized Butterfinger bar will constitute 14% of your recommended daily added sugar intake.

An American classic, with 1,123 Twinkies rolling off the production line every minute, secures the fourth spot with 42g of sugar per 100g of the product. While they boast a relatively low-calorie count of 364 calories per 100g, it’s noteworthy that Twinkies also fall within the top ten candies for sugar content per portion, featuring 32g of sugar in a 77g product serving.

In fifth place is the Whatchamacallit bar, with just under 44g of sugar per 100g of product. This 1970s classic chocolate bar has been a staple in trick-or-treat baskets for decades. For reference, a 25g serving will contribute 120 calories and 11g of sugar.

Completing the list at just over 44g of sugar is a Mounds Bar, closely followed by Sour Punch Twists, Haribo Goldbears, Almond Joy and Dove Dark Chocolate Bar, all at 47g of sugar each.

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for Snusboss said: “As Halloween approaches, this research provides valuable insights into the sugar content of many well-loved products. It serves as a valuable resource for parents, helping them make informed choices for their children when trick-or-treating.”

“Whether you prefer traditional favorites or are curious about new options, Americans can use this knowledge to make mindful choices when choosing which Halloween candy to give to trick-or-treaters this year.”