12 Discontinued Candies That Were Banned for a Reason
Discover the shocking and sometimes downright bizarre stories behind 12 discontinued candies that were banned for being too dangerous, too controversial, or just plain outrageous.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Some candies aren’t just sweet — they’re scandalous, hazardous, or outright banned. This list dives into 12 real treats that were pulled from shelves for reasons ranging from choking hazards and toxic ingredients to moral outrage and public backlash. Behind each sugary delight is a cautionary tale about how far is too far when it comes to marketing candy to kids.
1. Kinder Surprise (U.S. Ban)
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These hollow chocolate eggs with a toy inside are a childhood favorite in many countries, but not in the U.S. The FDA banned them because embedding inedible objects inside food violates safety regulations, especially for children. Over the years, concerns about choking hazards led to the long-standing prohibition of these products in the United States, despite their continued popularity elsewhere.
2. Candy Cigarettes
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Once sold freely in corner stores, these chalky sticks mimicked real cigarettes with alarming realism — even “smoke” puffs were simulated in some versions. Critics argued that they glamorized smoking and conditioned children to become future smokers. Several countries, including Canada and Brazil, banned them outright, and U.S. manufacturers faced heavy scrutiny before voluntarily pulling many versions off the shelves.
3. Lawn Darts with Candy Tips (Jarts Candy)
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This bizarre combination of a dangerous backyard game and a sweet treat was short-lived and understandably banned. The idea was to make the sharp metal darts “kid-friendly” by replacing the tips with candy — yet the potential for serious injury remained. Following several reported accidents, regulators intervened and halted production entirely.
4. Lucas Mexican Candy (Certain Varieties)
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Some varieties of this tangy powdered candy were pulled from U.S. shelves after testing revealed dangerously high levels of lead. It was a beloved treat among kids in the ’90s, often licked directly from the tube. However, after health officials raised concerns, it was banned until reformulated versions could meet safety standards.
5. Road Kill Gummy Candy
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This gummy line featured animals flattened on the road, complete with tire tracks across their bodies. Parents and animal rights activists were appalled, arguing it desensitized children to violence and trivialized animal suffering. Haribo, the company behind the idea, eventually pulled the product from the shelves after the backlash grew too intense.
6. Nestlé Magic Balls (Canada)
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Like Kinder Eggs, Nestlé’s Magic Balls came with a surprise toy inside a chocolate shell. They were banned in Canada in the late ’90s due to safety concerns over children swallowing or choking on the small toys. After public outcry, Nestlé replaced the toy with candy, rebranding it as “Wonder Balls” in the U.S.; however, even those had their own run-ins with regulators.
7. Bubble Gum Cigars
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These oversized gum treats came in pastel colors but carried the unmistakable shape of a real cigar. Sold as novelty items to celebrate baby births or mimic adult habits, they were criticized for promoting tobacco culture to children. Many manufacturers discontinued them voluntarily under pressure from anti-smoking campaigns.
8. Haribo Sugarless Gummy Bears
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These sweet-looking gummy bears had a not-so-sweet aftermath, thanks to their use of lycasin, a sugar substitute known to cause gastrointestinal distress. Consumers reported intense stomach cramps, diarrhea, and bloating, leading to waves of hilariously painful Amazon reviews. Haribo eventually stopped producing this version for most markets due to the overwhelming complaints.
9. Candy Crayons (Fake Brand Candy)
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These colorful candies were shaped exactly like real crayons and even came in faux Crayola-style boxes. The confusion wasn’t just cute — it was dangerous. Teachers and parents raised alarms that kids might eat real crayons by mistake, prompting stores to remove the product from shelves after several close calls.
10. Fuzzy Bunny Ears Lollipops (Easter Candy)
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These marshmallow-and-sugar lollipops were shaped like bunny ears — adorable, yes, but problematic. They posed a significant choking hazard due to their large, rigid shape and sticky texture. After multiple complaints and one widely publicized incident involving a toddler, they were quietly discontinued.
11. Black Jack Taffy (Certain Formulas)
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This licorice-flavored taffy had a cult following, but its early recipe included artificial dyes like Red 2 and Yellow 5, which later came under scrutiny for potential links to hyperactivity and allergic reactions. Some batches were banned in Europe and the U.S. until reformulated. Though a version still exists today, it’s much tamer than the original controversial candy.
12. Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge Bars
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Marketed as the most sour candy ever, these bars delivered on their name a little too well. In 2011, the FDA found elevated levels of lead in the cherry flavor, well above the legal threshold for children. The product was recalled and pulled from stores almost immediately.