Candy Bars with No High Fructose Corn Syrup: An Easy List for Quick Comparison Shopping

The Basics of Nutrition
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Why No High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)?

Why choose candy bars with no high fructose corn syrup? High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is also known as corn sugar and is a sweetener commonly added in processed beverages and foods.

There is controversy regarding high fructose corn syrup, because it is a combination of glucose and fructose, and because it is a processed sugar. Other concerns revolve around how it reacts in the body. As stated in a Diabetes Health article, “According to a study published in the October 2002 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who consumed 28 percent of their total calories from sucrose (half the carbohydrate in sucrose is fructose) as opposed to artificial sweetener had a higher caloric intake, body weight, fat mass and blood pressure after 10 weeks.”1

Problems cited from too much HFCS consumption include:

  • Increased body weight
  • False hunger signals
  • Higher caloric intake
  • Increase in insulin resistance
  • Increase in triglycerides.

The American Heart Association recommends men consume no more than 150 calories (approximately nine teaspoons) from any type of sugar; women no more than 100 (approximately six teaspoons).

The following are a few of the sources of high-fructose-corn-syrup-free candy bars in the United States.

Lindt

Lindt Lindor truffle balls are free of high fructose corn syrup. This is one more reason to indulge in this delicious Swiss chocolate treat. The truffle balls come in flavors such as mint, hazelnut, peanut butter, and raspberry. Varieties using white chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate are also available.

Hershey

Hershey’s offers a variety of candy bars that are HFCS-free. These include Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Symphony, 100 Calorie Wafer Bar, Skor, and Special Dark Chocolate. Not all of the Hershey’s line is HFCS-free, so read labels carefully before purchase or consumption.

Dove

Most varieties of Dove chocolates are reported to be free of high fructose corn syrup. This is great news for die-hard Dove chocolates fans. Dove offers chocolate treats in flavors such as peanut butter, almond, banana foster, caramel and tiramisu. The chocolate varieties include milk chocolate, and dark chocolate.

Cadbury

Cadbury, like Dove, offers most varieties of their candy bars with no high fructose corn syrup. That is one more plus for this wildly popular candy company. Cadbury is a British chocolatier company, but in the United States, the Hershey Company holds the license to manufacture Cadbury chocolates.

Some of the Cadbury chocolates made in the United States are Creme Eggs, Dairy Milk bars, and Mini-Eggs.

Other

Many imported chocolates from Europe have no high fructose corn syrup. Another good source of HFCS-free candy bars are those companies that produce organic chocolates.

Important to Note

It is important to note that recipes can change and any company can begin or stop using high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) at any time. It is very important to read the label before buying or eating if the desire is to avoid high fructose corn syrup.

The list of candy bars with no high fructose corn syrup is subject to change. Things get more complicated by the 2010 petition by The Corn Refiner’s Association to change the name on labels to “corn sugar” from the more recognizable high fructose corn syrup.

References

Nutrition and Health Eating: Question. Jennifer K. Nelson, M.S., R.D., L.D. October 23, 2010. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fructose-corn-syrup/AN01588

HFCS Free Food List. Stop HFCS. https://www.stophfcs.com/list.html

A New Name for High-Fructose Corn Syrup. Tara Parker-Pope. September 14, 2010. The New York Times: Health. https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/a-new-name-for-high-fructose-corn-syrup/

The Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup. Christopher R. Mohr, MS, RD, LDN. August 20, 2008. Diabetes Health. https://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2008/08/20/4274/the-dangers-of-high-fructose-corn-syrup/