18 Candies That Got Banned For a Good Reason
This is a quick roundup of once-loved candies that were banned or discontinued for safety, health, or ethical concerns.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
These 18 candies met unexpected ends. Some were pulled by regulators like the FDA; others discontinued due to contamination or controversy. Each example offers a surprising look at why your favorite treat didn’t make it past safety concerns. Learn how candies once considered harmless turned out to be anything but sweet.
1. Kinder Surprise
Jens Rost on Wikimedia Commons
These chocolate eggs look harmless, but they contain a small toy capsule hidden inside. U.S. regulations do not allow food products to contain inedible items unless they are completely separated. Because the toy is fully enclosed in the chocolate, the FDA considers it a choking hazard.
2. Nestlé Magic Ball (Wonder Ball)
01x07x2022000 on Wikimedia Commons
Nestlé’s Wonder Ball was once a hit among kids for its surprise toys inside a chocolate shell. However, much like Kinder Surprise, the embedded toy posed a major safety concern. After regulatory pressure, the candy was discontinued and later reintroduced with candy inside instead of toys.
3. Roadkill Gummy Candy
Şeyhmus Kino on Pexels
These gummies were shaped like animals that had been run over, complete with tire marks. The concept sparked outrage among parents and animal rights groups who said it made light of violence. Trolli eventually pulled the product from the shelves due to public backlash.
4. Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge Chew Bars
NIAID on Wikimedia Commons
Despite the name being a marketing gimmick, these candies contained actual toxic elements. In 2011, they were recalled for having lead levels far above the legal limit. The contamination was especially dangerous for children, prompting an urgent removal from stores.
5. Hippy Sippy
Katie Rainbow 🏳️🌈 on Pexels
This novelty candy came in a plastic syringe and encouraged kids to pretend they were injecting it. The branding even included messages that mimicked drug culture. Public outcry over glamorizing drug use led to the product being banned.
6. Lucas Limon and Other Lucas Candies
Oleg Yunakov on Wikimedia Commons
Several candy powders from the Lucas brand were pulled from shelves due to high lead levels. Some variants also had labeling issues that violated FDA standards. These candies, often imported from Mexico, faced scrutiny over contamination risks.
7. Lollipipe Candy Pipes
GastRomagna on Wikimedia Commons
These lollipops were shaped like actual smoking pipes and were even marketed with the phrase “for tobacco use only.” While technically legal, they raised concerns about encouraging children to mimic smoking. Many retailers removed them from inventory after complaints.
8. Sweethearts / Conversation Hearts
Scott Ehardt on Wikimedia Commons
These iconic Valentine’s Day candies were briefly taken off the shelves when their original manufacturer shut down. While not banned outright, the change caused a nationwide shortage and reformulation. Many fans noted that the taste and texture were different when they returned.
9. Haribo Sugar-Free Gummi Bears
neomodernist on Wikimedia Commons
These bears were sweetened with a sugar substitute called lycasin, which caused severe stomach issues. Many people reported intense cramping, bloating, and even gastrointestinal distress after eating them. Due to these side effects, the product was pulled from some markets.
10. Lychee Mini Fruity Gels
Pixabay on Pexels
These small, chewy fruit gels were linked to multiple choking deaths in children. The jelly texture made it difficult to chew, and the size allowed it to lodge in the throat. Several countries banned them after repeated health warnings.
11. Candy Cigarettes
Craig Pennington on Wikimedia Commons
Although still available in a few places, candy cigarettes were banned in many areas due to concerns about promoting smoking habits. Health experts argued that they normalized tobacco use among children. Many parents and advocacy groups pushed for their removal from stores.
12. Pocky Men’s Bitter Chocolate
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
This specific version of Pocky ran into trouble over incorrect labeling. The FDA requires exact information about allergens and ingredients, and the packaging did not meet those standards. As a result, the item was banned from U.S. imports until issues were fixed.
13. Cadbury UK Imports
TheNuggeteer on Wikimedia Commons
British versions of Cadbury chocolate, including Flake and Toffee Crisp, were banned from U.S. shelves after Hershey enforced its trademark rights. The company argued that the UK recipes were too similar to products Hershey owned. Importers were forced to stop selling them domestically.
14. Ritz Bits Sandwiches with Cheese
Famartin on Wikimedia Commons
Though not a candy, this snack was recalled due to possible salmonella contamination. The issue came from the whey powder used in the cheese filling. To protect public health, the product was taken off the shelves across the country.
15. Oreo Fudge Cremes
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
These cookies were recalled for not properly disclosing the presence of milk on their label. Milk is a major allergen and must be clearly marked. The oversight violated FDA labeling rules, leading to their temporary removal.
16. Jolly Ranchers Banned in the UK
Mene Tekel on Wikimedia Commons
Jolly Ranchers were banned in the UK due to the presence of certain mineral oils considered possibly carcinogenic. The specific chemicals, known as MOAH and MOSH, are more strictly regulated in Europe. Although still legal in the U.S., these concerns have hurt the candy’s reputation overseas.
17. Bubble Gum Cigars
Jack Schow on Wikimedia Commons
These bubble gum treats were designed to look exactly like real cigars and were often handed out to celebrate births. While marketed as harmless fun, health advocates argued that they encouraged tobacco imagery at an early age. Due to pressure from public health groups, many stores stopped carrying them.
18. Fruit Stripe Gum
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
Fruit Stripe Gum was known for its zebra mascot and brightly colored wrappers, but it was also criticized for using artificial dyes and preservatives. Some schools and parents banned it due to concerns over hyperactivity and allergic reactions. Though not federally banned, it quietly disappeared from shelves in many areas.