You’re not likely to chomp down any razor blades, but that doesn’t mean trick-or-treating won’t kill you.
Artificial dyes used in M&M's and other candy have been linked to ADHD in kids.
The science on this isn't 100% conclusive (and you can argue that sugar alone does a fine job of triggering hyperactivity) but there are absolutely reasons to be concerned about the widespread use of petroleum-based dyes in food — enough so that multiple other countries have already banned them and over 100,000 people have signed a petition to change M&M dyes. Get the full scoop on possible health risks in this extremely detailed report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
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Deforestation caused by harvesting palm oil (used to make lots of candies) is endangering orangutans.
This report from the Rainforest Action Network is clearly designed to tug at your heartstrings, and it's worth noting that many candy manufacturers are working with the Roundtable On Sustainable Palm Oil to source it responsibly. But it's still undeniable that palm oil — found in everything from Starburst to Snickers — is extremely common in packaged foods, extremely unhealthy, and much of what's harvested has a serious impact on rainforests.
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A single trick-or-treater's candy haul could translate to about 11,000 calories (a week's worth).
And even if you eat only a few pieces, you can be pretty sure you're blasting past your recommended daily sugar intake.
Kit Kats, Milky Way, Nerds, Whoppers, Skittles, Butterfinger, and Twizzlers all contain more than 15 ingredients.
Most of them are various types of sugars (listed under different names), emulsifiers, artificial dyes, and other chemical components.
