Candy Controversies: Exploring the Top 10 Banned Treats

Candy AND a free toy? That sounds like a dream come true for kids. Nestlé thought the same thing in the ‘90s when they created the Magic Ball – a hollowed-out chocolate ball with a small toy figure in the middle – not unlike another chocolate product. However, many were concerned about the fun surprise potentially being a choking hazard, and the product was also a violation of the FDA’s rule against selling non-edible items inside food. It was pulled from shelves and, in 2000, rebranded as the “Wonder Ball” which was filled with small candies instead. The Wonder Ball became an icon for nostalgic foods and even managed to make a comeback after being discontinued again, while its more dangerous predecessor remained long forgotten.

It’s great for a candy product to stand out, but it’s not always for the right reason. This was the case for Trolli in 2004, when they released “roadkill gummies” – chewable candies shaped like flattened animals, tire marks included. Suffice it to say, animal activists didn’t really appreciate what the company was going for here. Many protested and the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals claimed that the candy sent the wrong message to children about how animals should be treated. Because of this, barely a year later, the roadkill gummies were discontinued.

If you’ve ever seen the challenge videos on YouTube, you’ll know about the “Toxic Waste” line of sour candies. While the line is only marketed as ‘hazardously sour,’ one of their products turned out to actually BE toxic – the Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge Chew Bars. It was discovered that the cherry flavoring contained an unsafe level of lead content, and the bars were immediately recalled in the US. While Toxic Waste’s other candy seems to be doing alright today, in October of 2023, the Slime Licker products were recalled due to their being deemed a choking hazard.

With hippie culture on the rise in the 1960s, R.L. Albert & Sons capitalized on the movement with their very own gag candy - the Hippy Sippy. This peculiar treat was a syringe-shaped container filled with multicolored candies which were eaten by sucking them up through the straw. Needless to say, the Hippy Sippy was doomed from the start. Not only were parents outraged that it was practically mimicking narcotics for their children, but it also posed a choking risk by having kids basically inhale the tiny chocolate pieces. The fact that it came with a button that said “I’ll Try Anything” only made it worse… and sort of hysterical in hindsight.

Lucas Mexican Candy is known for its unique, sweet and spicy flavor combinations, but this candy powder was ripped from shelves due to the discovery of its elevated lead levels. In fact, some Lucas flavors contained anywhere between twice to three times the FDA’s standard. The high lead content obviously posed a major health risk to its young consumers and over five million units of the candy were recalled. Unfortunately, some leftover tainted candy remained on the market in some counties, despite the dire implications. While this may have been a tasty treat, it’s certainly not worth a fatal outcome.

It’s exactly what it sounds like: basically a spoon pipe made entirely of candy and works just as well as an actual pipe. It was said to be flameproof so it could be reused, too. Obviously, this sweet was meant for adults, but of course, kids would want to try something made of candy. Naturally, parents were outraged that anyone would make such a controversial product so enticing to kids. As a result, the lollipop pipe was banned from being sold in stores; though it still pops up on online shops for its intended demographic to enjoy.

When Valentine’s Day comes around, who isn’t eager to receive one of those candy hearts with cute sayings on them? You’re probably wondering “What harm can a sentimental sweet cause?” According to a few elementary schools, quite a lot since the Sweethearts are banned from some of them. While the popular belief that sugar causes hyperactivity in kids has been proven to be a myth, this is apparently the reason they’ve asked staff and parents alike not to let the candies be passed around the class. Another school cited the promotion of healthy food choices as a reason for the ban. Seems like a lot of heartbreak over candy hearts.

Everybody loves gummi bears, but they’re not exactly merciful on the teeth. So Haribo, the company that pioneered the delectable chewable, tried to make a sugar-free version. Ironically, rumor has it that the sugar-free versions are even less healthy than the original versions. While they’re lower in calories, they contain an ingredient that, when eaten in large amounts, can result in heavy complications in the consumer’s digestive system. Because of the unpleasant side effects (and scathing reviews), the sugarless bears were discontinued. If any good came out of these indigestible treats, it taught consumers a valuable lesson in moderation.

The Magic Ball/Wonder Ball wasn’t the first attempt at the “prize in the chocolate” gimmick. That honor goes to the iconic confectionary, the Kinder Surprise Eggs, which debuted all the way back in 1974. While mostly aimed at kids, adults have long-since loved the treat too. Unfortunately for the collectors, the Surprise Egg was banned in the United States due to the FDA’s regulations and posing a choking hazard risk. However, since 2017, the Surprise’s safer counterpart, the Kinder Joy, which separates toy and chocolate, was allowed to be imported into the States. Interestingly, the Surprise is still a long-sought-after trinket on the black market for hardcore collectors.

It’s an ongoing battle trying to protect children from the tobacco industry. Unfortunately, products like candy cigarettes don’t help with the cause. Don’t worry, they’re not ACTUAL cigarettes, but bubblegum, chocolate, or chalky sugar made to RESEMBLE tobacco products. Still, some could even produce clouds of sugar to resemble smoke. People were rightfully concerned that such products would encourage young children to smoke actual cigarettes. Because of the risk, these controversial sweets were banned in several countries. However, they are still being produced in the United States, mostly rebranded with no reference to cigarettes. Even if they’re just sweets, the influence they’re said to have on impressionable youngsters makes them more dangerous than they’re worth.

Did you ever try any of these discontinued goodies? Let us know how they were in the comments.