Editing Candy (section)

==Shelf life==
Because of its high sugar concentration, bacteria are not usually able to grow in candy. As a result, the [[shelf life]] is longer for candy than for many other foods. Most candies can be safely stored in their original packaging at [[room temperature]] in a dry, dark cupboard for months or years. As a rule, the softer the candy or the damper the storage area, the sooner it goes stale.<ref name=Candycrate />

Shelf life considerations with most candies are focused on appearance, taste, and texture, rather than about the potential for [[Foodborne illness|food poisoning]]; that is, old candy may not look appealing or taste very good, even though it is very unlikely to make the eater sick. Candy can be made [[food safety|unsafe]] by storing it badly, such as in a wet, [[Mold (fungus)|mold]]y area. Typical recommendations are these:<ref name=Candycrate>[http://www.candycrate.com/shelf-life-of-candy.html The Shelf Life of Candy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911171620/http://www.candycrate.com/shelf-life-of-candy.html |date=2011-09-11 }} from The Candy Crate</ref>
* [[Hard candy]] may last indefinitely in good storage conditions.
*[[Dark chocolate]] lasts up to two years.
*[[Milk chocolate]]s and caramels usually become stale after about one year.
* Soft or creamy candies, like [[candy corn]], may last 8 to 10 months in ideal conditions.
* [[Chewing gum]] and gumballs may stay fresh as long as 8 months after manufacture.