10 Banned Candies That Can Kill (Part 2)

We all know that candy isn’t exactly the poster child when it comes to healthy eating, and yet, we still eat it – and lots of it. But what most people don’t know is that certain candy can be harmful and can actually cause damage to your body. Beware of your treats, as we list 10 Banned Candies That Can Kill (Part 2). 

10. Exploding Gum

Chewing gum is probably one of the more multi-purpose types of candy. You can blow bubbles, use it to distract yourself, focus, or just chew endlessly. Before you get too worked up, no one has ever died from chewing regular chewing gum. And contrary to popular belief, no, swallowing gum will not kill you. Sure, some cases of “extreme” chewing causing an insanely high sugar intake have been found, but nothing directly related to the act of “chewing” gum. However, there was one particular incident that had deadly results. Back in 2009, a Ukrainian chemistry student wanted to experiment with various chemicals during his Christmas break. As a way to enhance the sourness of his favorite gum and prolong the taste, he found out that dipping it in citric acid before chewing it was the perfect way to achieve his goal. However, one fateful night, he dipped it in the wrong bowl. The bowl contained an unidentified chemical, possibly an explosive. All it took was one chew, and the gum exploded in his mouth. The explosion blew off his entire jaw and most of the lower part of his face. Sadly, the 25-year-old student died from his injuries. A mistake that cost him his life, but it was also a very important lesson for all the candy companies: never mess with your chewing gums recipe.

9. Kinder Surprise

A Kinder Surprise is arguably one of the best candies out there. You get a fun and collectible toy to assemble, and you get to enjoy some tasty, creamy chocolate at the same time. Not only are they super entertaining for kids, but they’re also delicious for the adults! Well, at least, that was back when they were still allowed in the United States. The little chocolate eggs are now banned in America because of a very old law from the 1930s. The law strictly prohibits any non-nutritional objects from being placed in any type of food. And that’s exactly what Kinder Surprises are. Apparently, the little toys inside the candy could be confused by some kids as another candy, thus increasing the risks of choking. While it may seem like going a little overboard, incidents have happened in the past. In 2016, for instance, a 3-year-old in France died after choking on a Kinder Surprise toy. And it wasn’t the first time tragedies like that had occurred. In an attempt to avoid any confusion, Kinder came up with Kinder Joy, another type of chocolate egg with a toy, only this time packaged differently. One half of the egg contains the candy, a sweet cream topped with cocoa wafer bites, and the other the toy. But, nothing can beat the real Kinder Surprise. So much so that 60,000 smuggled eggs were seized by U.S. border officials in 2011. Kinder Surprise is still sold in many parts of the world, just not in the U.S. of A.

8. Lucas Mexican Candy

Back when it was first introduced, Lucas Mexican candy was one of the most in-demand products from South America all over the world. However, it was also one of the most controversial ones. Lucas Mexican candy was a unique, wildly tasty treat with odd flavor combinations. It was a Chamoy, a typical blend of saltiness, sourness, and sweetness, made from pickled fruits, perfect for those who liked spicy-sour candies. It came in a little “shaker” container. Kids could sprinkle the treat on fruit or even directly into their mouths for some an instant flavor burst. But that’s not exactly what every kid used it for. A lot of times, Lucas Candy was seen being shaken onto the table, arranged into a line, and then sniffed. Yea, not exactly a kid-friendly candy anymore. It immediately worried parents, and the company, as well. The close similarity to illicit substance use was explained away as merely the result of using the product wrong, but that didn’t stop kids from doing it. This could’ve maybe been overlooked if it wasn’t for the test results showing that the candy contained twice the amount of lead allowable by the FDA. That discovery was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and Lucas Mexican Candy was banned. 

7. Roadkill Gummy Candy

With so many different types of gummy candies available, it’s imperative to try and stand out as much as possible. Whether it’s with a funky flavor, a different color or shape, there are endless ways to make your product unique. However, there are times when maybe, sticking to a regular gummy wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. This applies to the time Kraft thought they had revolutionized the world of candy by coming up with Roadkill Gummy Candy. This very controversial bag of gummies featured all sorts of colorful animals, from squirrels, snakes, and even chickens, that had been, well, splattered. They even had tire marks on them, just to add a little more realism. Even though these candies were meant to be fun and harmless, animal rights activists didn’t seem to think so. Apparently, it was promoting the idea of injuring animals. Kraft had to stop production the following year because of a series of push back campaigns. Activists claimed that by representing critters run over by cars as a fun treat, it would encourage children to be cruel to animals and that it was sending the wrong message, “especially from a so-called wholesome corporation like Kraft.” After numerous lawsuits, protests, and letter-writing campaigns, Kraft had to pull the gummies from the market and sold off the remaining of their inventory. 

6. Sweethearts

When Valentine’s Day rolls around, there is one thing – except chocolate, of course – that everyone is dying to receive from the one they love; Sweethearts. You know, those colorful little sugar candies shaped like hearts with the cute messages on them? Around since 1886, these conversation hearts are bound to stir up nostalgia no matter how old you are, which is what makes them so irresistible for many. So, what could be wrong with innocent little candies spreading around messages like “Be Mine” and “Hug me?” Well, turns out these little treats aren’t as harmless as they would have us believe. Indeed, Sweethearts have been banned in some schools because they tend to cause a lot of hyperactivity in children. With the high sugar level found in the Sweethearts, it’s easy to have one too many and start bouncing off the walls. But the sugar rush they cause isn’t the only reason why these little treats could potentially hurt you. A lot of talk on the internet has been made concerning the “sweet messages” that are written on the hearts. An article was written in 2019 about why this candy should be banned ASAP, pressing the idea that each heart was beaming with toxic masculinity, harassment, and sexual assault. They supported the argument by saying that by giving someone Sweetheart, you would be forcefully telling them to “kiss me,” or “be mine,” or “text me” without their consent. Maybe that’s taking things to the extreme, but no one wants to see these candies disappear – especially not on Valentine’s day.

5. Free Candy

Who doesn’t love free stuff? Better yet, who doesn’t love free candy? As long as it’s not from a stranger in a van, it’s one of the best treats you can get! However, in Madrid, Spain, the tradition of giving away sweet treats has been banned. Every year, on the 5th of January, most Spanish towns and cities hold a ‘Cabalgata de Reyes,’ a Christmas parade. It’s one of the most anticipated nights of the year for kids. The Three Kings – also known as the Three Wise Men –  arrive atop their floats bearing mountains of sweets and gifts. One of the traditions is to throw candy from the carriage into the crowd. But, this practice has led to several injuries as children scramble to collect as much candy as they can. An unfortunate incident happened in 2013 that put an abrupt stop to the much-loved tradition. A six-year-old boy was killed after he was run over by the Christmas carriage as he was collecting sweets in the streets. Ever since then, rules and regulations have been put into place to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. For instance, the Three Wise Men will only be able to gift children with sweets if the streets they’re traveling on are equipped with appropriate security fencing. Otherwise, the usual sweet-throwing is now banned. 

4. Lollies Pipe

Here is another candy that has been accused of glamorizing illicit substances – only this time, it was a little more obvious. The Lollipipe was an edible candy from the late 2000s that resembled a smoking pipe, just like the ones some grown-ups use to “smoke their greens.” One of their marketing campaigns even claimed that they were flameproof so that they could be used over and over again. Even though they were available in a wide range of colors and were made of candy, they were never intended for kids; they were targeted at adult smokers. Lollipipes used to be sold solely online, and you had to be 18 and over to purchase one. As it should be. However, when the Lollipipes made their way into retail stores, the real problems began. It was candy, and it had a weird shape, so obviously, it interested kids, and they started asking more and more questions about it. Parents started complaining to the company that these lollipops were promoting bad habits to underaged people. The parents were right, and the candy pipe was immediately banned from every 7-Eleven shop in Indiana. The inappropriate candy went back to its place online, and you can still find it there today. 

3. 3 Musketeers

The 3 Musketeers bar is marketed as a “lighter way to enjoy chocolate.” No matter how tasty and creamy it might be, this statement is simply not true. In fact, it’s probably the complete opposite. If anything, they’re probably heavier in terms of possible health effects. The 3 Musketeers bar might have fewer calories than a regular candy bar, but what it lacks in calories, it compensates for in other departments. To put this into perspective, one single 3 Musketeers bar contains a whopping 9 teaspoons of sugar, which is almost more sugar than 3 Krispy Kreme donuts. Oh, and it’s also higher than the American Heart Association’s recommended daily sugar intake. This one bar would blow your whole sugar budget for the day. Imagine giving this to a kid! But, sugar isn’t even the only concern. A high amount of both trans fats and saturated fats are found in the 3 Musketeers bar. These two fats are to be avoided at all cost, and yet, here they are, in a candy bar we all love and enjoy. With a lot of the bar comprised of corn syrup and hydrogenated palm kernel oil, it’s not exactly the most health-conscious choice to make. Sure, it has a light and fluffy nougat center wrapped in delectable chocolate and has been around for over 75 years, but that’s no excuse for it to be a health hazard. The 3 Musketeers has even found itself at the top of many lists as the unhealthiest candy bar out there.

2. Fun Dip

Ah, Fun Dip. It is fun, indeed, to consume an insane amount of sugar. Especially when it’s licked off of a candy stick. With so many fun and flavorful options, Fun Dip is the perfect way to get that tangy sugar directly into the body. If you’re in the looking for high blood pressure test results and a quick trip to the dentist, then grab a Fun Dip because this is where you’re headed! You don’t need to hear it from us, though. A stick made of sugar dipped into a packet of more sugar doesn’t exactly scream healthy. Yes, the calorie count is relatively low, but all the trouble lies in that sugar. After all, sugar accounts for about 90% of the whole candy. In one single packet, you’re looking at a good 13 grams of pure sugar. At this point, you might as well just dip your tongue directly into the sugar bowl at home. It might save you a step or two. But, obviously, sugar isn’t the only issue. In the past, some young and bright people have tried to make Fun Dip a little more recreational by inhaling the little powder through their noses. What is wrong with people? Needless to say, the effects an overly sweet candy powder has on your nasal cavity are less than pleasurable. Fun Dip inhaled into the lungs, nose bleeds, and all sorts of health risks can occur, so please don’t ever try this. Be satisfied with the little stick and leave it at that. 

1. Candy Corn

Candy Corn is probably one of the most hated Halloween candies out there. Actually, scratch that. It is the most hated Halloween candy! At least, in America, according to a survey done by Candystore.com. Despite its hated status, a lot of people can’t celebrate Halloween without candy corn. However, these devilish candies might be more of a trick than a treat. The reason is pretty simple: it’s not a very healthy candy. Well, duh, it’s candy, but this particular one has some ingredients that make it even worse. You see, most of the natural ingredients that claim to be in candy corn have actually been replaced by artificial and chemical versions of them. This is mostly to reduce the cost of production and to increase profit. Even brands that list real honey in their ingredients have their fair share of high sugar levels. A serving size of candy corn – which is about 19 pieces – contains 28 grams of sugar. But that’s not the only issue. Another key ingredient, the coloring Yellow #5, has been linked to rare but sometimes severe allergic reactions and also runs the risk of being contaminated by cancer-causing substances. So, yea, definitely the perfect spooky candy for Halloween after all. 

Next Next: Top 10 Restaurants We Wish We Had In America (Part 4)