Is There Any Candy Without High Fructose Corn Syrup? A Guide to Smarter Sweets

October 19, 2025 •

4 min read

Recent studies suggest that while cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) have similar metabolic effects when overconsumed, many consumers prefer to avoid HFCS due to its association with highly processed foods. For those looking to make a change, the good news is that there are many delicious options available, and the answer to 'Is there any candy without high fructose corn syrup?' is a resounding yes.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of candy options free from high-fructose corn syrup, detailing the brands that use alternative sweeteners and offering tips on how to identify these products. It explores organic, natural, and DIY solutions for mindful snacking.

Key Points

Availability of HFCS-Free Options: Yes, numerous candy brands, especially organic and natural ones, offer products that do not contain high-fructose corn syrup.
Common Alternative Sweeteners: Brands typically use organic cane sugar, honey, maple syrup, tapioca syrup, or fruit juices instead of HFCS.
Label Literacy is Key: Look for terms like 'organic', 'cane sugar', 'no high-fructose corn syrup', and avoid products listing corn syrup unless it's a known HFCS-free variety.
Variety of Candy Types: HFCS-free options exist across different categories, including gummies (YumEarth), caramels (Cocomels), chocolates (UNREAL), and hard candies (Sparko Sweets).
Homemade Candy: For ultimate control, you can make your own candy using natural sweeteners and recipes designed to be corn syrup-free.
Moderation is Still Important: While avoiding HFCS is a personal choice, it's important to remember that all added sugars should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Why Avoid High-Fructose Corn Syrup?

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sweetener made from corn starch that has become a pervasive ingredient in many processed foods and beverages due to its low cost. While chemically similar to table sugar (sucrose), which is a 50/50 mix of glucose and fructose, HFCS can sometimes have a slightly different ratio. Some research suggests that these differences can affect metabolism and potentially increase risks for metabolic issues when consumed in excess. The primary motivation for many people to avoid HFCS isn't necessarily a proven health difference, but rather a desire to reduce their intake of highly processed, factory-made ingredients in favor of more natural alternatives like organic cane sugar or honey.

Leading Brands of HFCS-Free Candy

Fortunately, the demand for cleaner, simpler ingredients has led to a surge in candy manufacturers offering delicious HFCS-free options. These brands often use organic cane sugar, fruit juices, or other natural sweeteners to achieve their flavor profiles.

Organic and Natural Candy

Several brands have built their reputations on offering products free from high-fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients:

YumEarth: This brand is known for its wide range of allergy-friendly, organic candies, including lollipops, fruit snacks, and gummy bears. Their products are free from artificial dyes and HFCS, using real fruit juice for color and flavor.
Lovely Candy Co.: Lovely focuses on crafting products in small batches with simple, quality ingredients. Their options, which include organic lollipops and gummy candies, are non-GMO and contain no artificial colors, flavors, gluten, or HFCS.
Surf Sweets: This company makes lollipops, gummy candies, and jelly beans using organic ingredients and cane sugar instead of HFCS. They are also free of many common allergens.
Cocomels: For those who love caramel, Cocomels offers dairy-free, organic coconut milk caramels. These are vegan, non-GMO, and famously free of HFCS.
Heaven & Earth: This brand offers taffy ropes and lil' taffy made with natural flavors and colors and, importantly, no high-fructose corn syrup.

Chocolate and Other Sweets

Beyond fruity candies, chocolate lovers also have plenty of HFCS-free options:

UNREAL: A popular brand for chocolate bars and gems, UNREAL uses fair-trade, organic ingredients and avoids corn syrup and sugar alcohols.
Lindt: Many Lindt products, especially their premium Lindor truffles and Excellence chocolate bars, do not list high-fructose corn syrup in their ingredients. Always check the specific product label, as some seasonal or specialty items may differ.
OCHO Organic Candy: OCHO makes organic chocolate candy bars using real, simple ingredients, and they are certified gluten-free and non-GMO.

Hard Candies

Even hard candy, which often uses corn syrup for its texture, can be found without HFCS:

Sparko Sweets: This brand offers natural, handmade lollipops made with pure honey and no corn syrup or artificial ingredients.
Kerr's Chocolate Mints: Kerr's provides chocolate mints made with natural peppermint oil and chocolate, explicitly stating 'no high fructose corn syrup' on their packaging.

Decoding Sweeteners on the Label

Navigating the world of candy without HFCS requires some label literacy. Here’s what to look for on the ingredient list:

Organic Certification: The USDA Organic seal is a strong indicator that the product is HFCS-free, as HFCS is a highly processed ingredient that would not meet organic standards. Organic candies typically use organic cane sugar or syrups.
Alternative Syrups: Many natural candies replace HFCS with other liquid sweeteners. Examples include organic cane syrup, tapioca syrup, rice syrup, or agave nectar.
Natural Sugars: Look for listings like cane sugar, honey, maple syrup, or fruit juice concentrate. These are all natural options used by many health-conscious candy makers.
Artificial Sweeteners: Be mindful that some 'sugar-free' or 'low-sugar' candies use artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols like maltitol, which can have a different effect on your body. Always read the fine print.

Comparison of Candy Sweeteners


Feature	HFCS-Free Candy (e.g., YumEarth)	Conventional Candy (e.g., Generic Gummy Bear)	Conventional Cane Sugar Candy (e.g., Some old-fashioned candy)
Primary Sweetener	Organic cane sugar, fruit juice, tapioca syrup	High-fructose corn syrup, corn syrup	Cane sugar
Potential Artificial Additives	Typically none, or only natural alternatives	Can contain artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives	May contain artificial colors or flavors depending on brand
Sweetness Level	Often less intensely sweet, with more natural flavors	Very sweet, designed for mass appeal	Similar sweetness profile to HFCS candy, depends on recipe
Processing	Minimally processed sweeteners	Heavily processed, chemically altered sweeteners	Less processed than HFCS, but still refined sugar
Cost	Typically higher due to ingredient sourcing	Lower, as HFCS is a very inexpensive ingredient	Can be comparable or slightly higher than HFCS candy

Making Your Own HFCS-Free Candy

For those who want complete control over their ingredients, making candy at home is an excellent option. Homemade recipes allow you to use your preferred sweeteners, whether that’s honey, maple syrup, or a homemade sugar syrup. There are many tutorials available online for making everything from hard candies to gummies without a drop of corn syrup.

Conclusion

For those seeking candy without high-fructose corn syrup, a wide variety of excellent options are available. Organic and natural brands like YumEarth and Lovely Candy Co. are leading the charge, offering delicious alternatives made with simpler, more wholesome ingredients. While HFCS-free options may sometimes come with a higher price tag, they represent a move toward more mindful eating. Whether you choose to seek out these specialty brands, check for products sweetened with cane sugar, or even make your own, it's easier than ever to enjoy a sweet treat without HFCS. The key is reading labels carefully and remembering that moderation remains essential for any treat, regardless of the sweetener used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Several brands explicitly avoid HFCS, including YumEarth (gummies, lollipops), Lovely Candy Co. (gummies, lollipops), Surf Sweets (gummies, jelly beans), UNREAL (chocolates), and Cocomels (caramels).

Yes, USDA Organic certified products must avoid highly processed ingredients like HFCS. Organic candies generally use organic cane sugar or other organic syrups as sweeteners.

From a health standpoint, excessive consumption of any added sugar, including both cane sugar and HFCS, carries similar health risks. Some people prefer cane sugar because it is perceived as more natural, but moderation is the most important factor.

You should check the ingredients list for 'high-fructose corn syrup'. Also, be aware that simple 'corn syrup' is not the same as HFCS and may be used, though many brands explicitly state their HFCS-free status.

Yes, many recipes exist for making homemade candy, including hard candies, without corn syrup. You can use substitutes like cane sugar, honey, or rice syrup.

Common alternatives include organic cane sugar, honey, maple syrup, tapioca syrup, agave nectar, and brown rice syrup.

Some high-quality dark chocolates are often HFCS-free, using cane sugar or other sweeteners. Brands like Lindt and UNREAL offer dark chocolate options without HFCS, but always check the specific product label.