Behind the Label: How Your Favorite “Healthy” Candy Bars Actually Have Hidden Corn Derivatives

Hidden corn derivatives in "healthy" candies can be a challenge for those with allergies and those just looking to avoid additives, fillers, and flavors. While shopping in the "organic," "fair trade," or "raw" sweets sections, you might assume you're making a safe choice, only to discover these seemingly wholesome treats may contain sneaky corn derivatives. In this exploration of popular "healthy" chocolates and treats, we delve into some renowned brands and their use of ingredients that could potentially be corn-derived. We'll also compare the ingredient lists of the same candies in the US and UK, revealing how names and sources of ingredients can vary between regions, making it essential knowledge for global chocolate enthusiasts with a sweet tooth.

If you struggle with allergens, you’re probably overly familiar with your local supermarket’s “healthy” sweets sections. You may think you’re safe because you see the “organic” and “fair trade” or even “raw” labels, but the truth is that these healthy treats can also be housing some sneaky corn derivatives. To keep you safe, we’ve compiled some of the best-known “healthy” chocolates and treats that have known corn derivatives. 

• Chuao Chocolatier: Chuao Chocolatier is all about crafting gourmet chocolate bars with unique flavor combinations using high-quality ingredients. You might find sunflower and soy lecithin in their creations. While these ingredients could potentially come from corn, it really depends on their specific source.
• Ingredients of Potato Chip Chocolate Bar: premium 41% milk chocolate (sugar*, cacao butter*, milk, cacao*, sunflower and soy lecithin [as an emulsifier], natural vanilla*), potato chips (potatoes, vegetable oil [sunflower, corn and/or canola oil]), sea salt.

• Tony's Chocolonely: Tony's Chocolonely is on a mission to bring you ethically sourced and slave-free chocolate bars in a variety of flavors. Inside, you'll find wheat syrup, which isn't directly a corn-derived ingredient but could be derived from corn in some cases.
• Ingredients of Milk Honey Almond Nougat Bar: sugar, dry whole milk, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, nougat (cane sugar, wheat syrup, almonds, potato starch, honey, cocoa butter, egg whites), soy lecithin

• Lily's Sweets: Lily's Sweets specializes in chocolate bars and candies sweetened with stevia and boasting reduced sugar content. Keep an eye out for erythritol, dextrin, and soluble corn fiber in their treats. While these ingredients might have corn origins, they can also come from various other sources. The presence of soluble corn fiber suggests a potential corn-derived ingredient.
  • Ingredients of Birthday Cake Bar: Cocoa Butter, Erythritol, Milk (rBST Free), Dextrin, Chicory Root Fiber, Sprinkles (Erythritol, Soluble Corn Fiber, Palm Kernel Oil, Sunflower Lecithin, Natural Colors [Beet, Cabbage Beta Carotene, Annatto], Gum Arabic, Carnauba Wax), Milk Fat (rBST Free), Sunflower Lecithin, Natural Flavors, Salt, Stevia Extract

• SmartSweets: SmartSweets is the creator of low-sugar gummy candies, gummy bears, and other tasty treats made from plant-based ingredients and fibers. Their candies contain soluble corn fiber, a corn-derived ingredient. Additionally, they include isomalto-oligosaccharides, which can be sourced from various places, including corn.
  • Ingredients of Peach Rings: Soluble corn fiber, Allulose, Isomalto-oligosaccharides (vegetable source), Chicory root fiber, Rice flour, Modified potato starch, Malic acid, Lactic acid, Fumaric acid, Natural flavors, Fruit and vegetable juice (for color), Citric acid, Coconut oil, Carnauba wax, Stevia leaf extract.

Outside of trying to dance over the battleground that is “healthy” candies and candy bars, another challenge remains for chocolate enthusiasts with allergens– the changing ingredient lists of our favorite treats! Not only are the ingredient lists very different in the US versus the United Kingdom, but those familiar ingredients you’ve gotten so good at avoiding have different names here. We’ve compiled a list of classic candies and candy bars (and highlighted the corn derivatives), and compared their ingredients in the US market versus the UK market. Right away you can see that what we openly call “Corn Syrup” they call “Glucose Syrup” or instead of “Corn Starch” they may say “Maize Starch.” It’s a good thing to keep in mind for avid globetrotters with a sweet tooth! 

• M&M's:
• US: Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Chocolate, Skim Milk, Cocoa Butter, Lactose, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Artificial and Natural Flavors), Sugar, Cornstarch, Less than 1% - Corn Syrup, Dextrin, Coloring (Includes Blue 1 Lake, Yellow 6, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 40 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 2), Gum Acacia.

• UK: Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Full Cream Milk Powder, Lactose, Cocoa Butter, Starch, Palm Fat, Shea Fat, Glucose Syrup, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Stabilizer (Gum Arabic), Colours (E100, E133, E160a, E160e, E171), Dextrin, Glazing Agent (Carnauba Wax), Palm Kernel Oil, Salt, Flavourings.

• Hershey's Chocolate Bars:
• US: Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Milk, Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Lactose, Milk Fat, Lecithin (Soy), PGPR (Emulsifier)), Sugar, Peanuts, Corn Syrup, Dextrose, Salt, Palm Oil, TBHQ and Citric Acid (to Maintain Freshness).

• UK: Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Full Cream Milk Powder, Cocoa Butter, Lactose (Milk), Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Flavouring.

• Cadbury Creme Egg:
• US: Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Milk, Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Milk Fat, Lecithin (Soy), Natural and Artificial Flavors), Sugar, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Contains 2% or Less of Artificial Color (Yellow 5), Cocoa, Invert Sugar, Nonfat Milk, Artificial Flavor, Soy Lecithin.

• UK: Sugar, Milk, Glucose Syrup, Cocoa Butter, Invert Sugar Syrup, Dried Whey (from Milk), Cocoa Mass, Vegetable Fats (Palm, Shea), Emulsifier (E442), Dried Egg White, Flavourings, Colour (Paprika Extract).

• Mars Bars/Milky Way:
• US: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Skim Milk, Cocoa Butter, Barley Malt Extract, Chocolate, Palm Fat, Lactose, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Egg Whites, Artificial Flavor.

• UK: Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Skimmed Milk Powder, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Sunflower Oil, Milk Fat, Lactose and Protein from Whey (from Milk), Whey Powder (from Milk), Palm Fat, Fat Reduced Cocoa, Barley Malt Extract, Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin), Salt, Egg White Powder, Milk Protein, Natural Vanilla Extract.

• Skittles 
• (US): Sugar, Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Less than 2% of: Citric Acid, Tapioca Dextrin, Modified Corn Starch, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Colors (Red 40 Lake, Titanium Dioxide, Red 40, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Blue 2 Lake, Blue 1, Blue 1 Lake), Sodium Citrate, and Carnauba Wax.

• (UK): Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Palm Fat, Acid: Citric Acid, Dextrin, Modified Starch, Flavorings, Maltodextrin, Thickeners: E414, E418, Colors: E171, E129, E133, E102, E110, E160e, Glazing Agent: Carnauba Wax

• Starburst 
• (US): Corn Syrup, Sugar, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Fruit Juice from Concentrate (Apple, Lemon, Strawberry, Orange, Cherry), Less than 2% of: Citric Acid, Dextrin, Gelatin, Food Starch-Modified, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Coloring (Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1).

• (UK): Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Palm Fat, Concentrated Fruit Juices (Apple, Orange, Blackcurrant, Strawberry, Lime, Lemon), Acids: Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Modified Starch, Dextrin, Maltodextrin, Flavorings, Antioxidant: Ascorbic Acid, Colors: E150d, E160a, E162

• Jelly Belly Jelly Beans 
• (US): Sugar, Corn Syrup, Modified Food Starch, Contains 2% or less of the following: Blueberry Puree, Lemon Puree, Orange Puree, Strawberry Puree, Apple Juice Concentrate, Watermelon Juice Concentrate, Cherry Juice Concentrate, Lime Juice Concentrate, Tangerine Juice Concentrate, Pear Juice Concentrate, Coconut, Citric Acid, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid, Tapioca Dextrin, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Color Added, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5 & 6 Lake, Blue 1 & 2 Lake, Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Confectioner's Glaze, Salt.

• (UK): Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Modified Maize Starch, Lemon Puree, Cherry Juice from Concentrate, Lime Puree, Strawberry Puree, Orange Puree, Blueberry Puree, Watermelon Juice Concentrate, Apple Juice Concentrate, Coconut, Citric Acid, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid, Tapioca Dextrin, Natural and Artificial Flavours, Glazing Agents (Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Confectioner's Glaze), Salt, Colours: E102, E110, E129, E132, E133, E150d, E171, E171

• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups 
• (US): Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate, Nonfat Milk, Milk Fat, Lactose, Lecithin (Soy), PGPR (Emulsifier)), Peanuts, Sugar, Dextrose, Salt, TBHQ and Citric Acid (to maintain freshness)

• (UK): Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate, Nonfat Milk, Milk Fat, Lactose, Lecithin (Soy), PGPR (Emulsifier)), Peanuts, Sugar, Dextrose, Salt, TBHQ and Citric Acid (to maintain freshness)

The quest for wholesome candies often leads to the discovery of hidden corn derivatives in what appear to be "healthy" treats. To keep your cravings in check, understanding the ingredient labels is essential. In addition to decoding these delectable confections, our comparison of candy ingredients in the US and the UK will aid travelers in their pursuit of sweet satisfaction, ensuring that the taste of home is never too far away. Armed with this knowledge, you can now make informed choices and indulge in your favorite candies without any surprises. Happy snacking!