Halloween treats are filling up prime real estate in most stores and shops these days. With the holiday just a few days away those Halloween treats are in demand. I’m never quite sure how to gauge how many kids will stop by, so I stock up with plenty to hand out to the neighborhood ghouls and goblins.

There’s no surprise that Halloween is the single largest candy-consuming day all year in the Unites States. Americans purchase nearly 600 million pounds of candy a year for Halloween.

Every year I struggle. I’m a Snickers and Kit Kat lover and like many, Halloween is a chance to indulge. But I know the real deal. Most of the candy that many of us love to eat is filled with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and GMOs.

October is Non-GMO Month 

GMOs refers to crop plants that are consumed by animals and/or humans that have been tweaked or modified in a lab to boost desired traits such as: the ability of the plant to produce its own pesticide, disease resistance and improved nutritional value.

Food with GMOs looks and tastes the same, but they’re not the same. Food producers have been altering and messing with our food with the blessing of the FDA, but without our permission.

GMO labeling isn’t required in the US

Does that bother you? It bothers me. It actually makes me angry. We have the right to know what’s going into our food-don’t we? If we take a look at our friends in the EU and other countries -GMO labeling has been the norm for years. Yet in the US the FDA doesn’t require the labeling of GMOs in food ingredient lists. 

GMOs in Our Halloween Treats

Yep.  You guessed it. All those delicious, bite-sized bars probably contain GMOs.

Here’s a list of 10 GMO ingredients that could be lurking in your Halloween treats taken from an infographic designed by The Give Project and California Right to Know:

1. Sugar (GMO sugar beets)
2. High fructose corn syrup (GMO corn)
3. Corn starch (GMO corn)
4. Soy lecithin (GMO soy)
5. Soybean oil GMO soy)
6. Modified food starch (GMO corn)
7. Fructose, dextrose, glucose (GMO corn)
8. Cottonseed oil (GMO cotton)
9. Canola oil (GMO canola)
10. “Other” ingredients: isolates, isoflavones, food starch, vegetable oil

5 Non-GMO Halloween Treats

A little indulgence is A-ok in my book, but if you want to hand out Halloween treats that are a bit healthier and don’t contain GMOs check out some of these spooktacular choices.

UNREAL

Have you seen UNREAL candy? It’s hard to miss since the company makes their candy available only where junk food is available. It’s candy without artificial flavors, preservatives or hormones; no GMO’s (genetically modified organisms); no hydrogenated oils; and no corn syrup.

Annie’s Homegrown Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks

My kids have been taking Annie’s Homegrown Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks in their lunch box for years. Annie’s uses only non-GMO ingredients and is a very active voice in telling the FDA to Just Label It!

YummyEarth Organic Lollipops

YummyEarth products are made with real fruit extracts and plant friendly organic ingredients.  They are certified organic and made with 100% Natural colors. No chemical dyes and no GMOs. 100% Natural flavors. Real fruit extracts. Egg-free. Soy-free. Nut-free. Gluten-free. Wheat-free. Casein-free. Dairy-free. Peanut-free.

Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups

If you’re a Reece’s Peanut Butter Cup fan Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups are the perfect replacement. None of their products contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms). They are currently in the process of verifying their products with the Non-GMO Project in order to bear the Non-GMO Project Seal on our packaging.

 Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans 

Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans are made with organic fruit juice and organic sweeteners, are Non GMO verified, and include 100% of Vitamin C per serving. Also perfect for kids with allergies or food sensitivities.

Happy Halloween! Don’t forget to use your reusable bag for collecting all those Halloween treats!

October is non-GMO Month. How are you going to do your part? 
photo credit: Micky** via photopin cc