Is It Safe For Iowans To Eat Halloween Candy That Was Bought In July?

Did you jump the gun on spooky season?

For the first time ever, Reese's put their famous peanut butter pumpkins in store shelves in July. About 100 days before Halloween.

Now that we're actually creeping up on that time of the year and getting ready to hand out that candy, what can you actually do with it?

How Long Can It Last Actually?

You may try to buy candy to give out well before Halloween since prices seem to go up everywhere. And as passionate as people are about getting ready for the next holiday, even if it's months away, it shouldn't be hard.

And the good news: you should be good to eat candy at Halloween if you got it this summer. Carly Schildhaus, director of public affairs and communications at the National Confectioners Association, told IndyStar:

It's in response to consumer demand. And our manufacturers are working very closely with retail partners to make sure that the products are available on shelves because Halloween is about so much more than just October 31. Whether it's decorating or planning a costume or of course, enjoying some treats.  It's all reflective of how people prioritize and value that celebration now more than ever.

Candy has a pretty good shelf life but no, don't give out the candy that you bought immediately after Halloween last year. Eater says that some chocolates (stored in cool, dark, and dry places) can last 10 months. Hard candies have an indefinite shelf life, marshmallows only make it 6-8 months, and caramel/nougat can last 6 months-a year.

Don't be the house that hands out old candy corn.