Yo, Illinois Candy Lovers! Here’s When Your Halloween Stash will Go Bad

How long is that bag of candy in the cupboard going to last? I'll answer that question about every kind of candy, except candy corn, because that lasts forever.

How to Keep Your Halloween Candy Fresh

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My home provides shelter for 3 trick-or-treaters who all have their mother's sweet tooth. My wife's love for candy is strong and our children are no different. The haul of candy that sits in three separate (shoebox-sized) plastic totes in the pantry after every Halloween is absolutely ridiculous.

The kids asked my wife and me if we knew how long the candy will last until it goes bad. We didn't really know the answer. The candy wrappers don't really cover this question, either.

So, we looked it up. Here's what we found.

When will my Halloween candy go bad?

Two things play a big role in how long your candy stash will last.

• How do you store it
• Personal preference

Expiration dates on the candy really refer to when the candy will be beyond 'peak quality, not when it is no longer safe to eat.

Is it safe? Does it taste good? Those are two very different things.

How long will chocolate last?

Dark chocolate lasts the longest at up to 2 years. Milk and white chocolate's peak quality begins to fade after around 9 months,

If your chocolate is filled, like those peanut butter cups, it's good for about 6 months.

How long will gummy candy last?

If you've got your gummy worms in the pantry, they're going to need to get in your mouth within 6-9 months.

How long will hard candies last?

Your Jolly Ranchers are all good for about a year. For us, if you can't peel away the wrapper on hard candy, it's time to toss it.

About your Candy Corn

The experts say if it's unopened, you're good for about 9 months. If it has been opened, it's good for 3-6 months.