There are an estimated 73.1 million trick-or-treaters under the age eighteen in the United States. Needless to say, there is no trick or treating without candy. But, have you ever wondered how your favorite Halloween candy is made, and how standards are involved in the production process of these sugar laden treats?
How Is Candy Made?
Sugar is the basis of all candy. Sucrose is the most common type of sugar; it actually represents two sugar molecules bonded together, a glucose and fructose. Candy is made by dissolving sugar in water or milk to create a syrup, which is then boiled and cooled in different ways to create different types of candy. The type of candy that results depend on the ingredients and how long the mixture is boiled:
- Gummy Candies: Gelatin is boiled to create a thick, clear, odorless, and tasteless liquid that’s then colored, flavored, and sweetened, poured into molds, and allowed to cool.
- Hard Candy: Sugar syrup is heated to a specific temperature, then removed from heat and mixed with citric acid, food dye, and flavoring.
- Chocolate Candy: The cocoa mass is combined with other ingredients like sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifiers, aroma, and milk components.
- Rock candy: Sugar syrup is slowly cooled over days to form large sugar crystals
- Fudge: Sugar syrup is continuously stirred after an initial cooling period to keep sugar crystals small
- Cotton Candy: Sugar syrup is quickly cooled to prevent crystals from forming, then spun in a cylinder and flung out through holes to solidify into strands
The manufacturing process involves precise measurements, quality control checks, and often, the use of specialized machinery to create the perfect confectionaries we enjoy during the Halloween season.
Quality Management System (QMS) in Candy Production
A quality management system (QMS) in candy production begins with rigorous inspection and testing of every ingredient from sugars, cocoa, and flavorings. It assures the purity and quality of raw and packaging materials, setting the stage for crafting clean and standard-compliant confections. The QMS in candy production assesses the following:
- Pest elimination
- Food defense
- Good manufacturing processes (GMPs)
- Sanitation standard operating procedure (SSOPs)
- Hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP)
- Environmental monitoring procedures (EMP)
- Allergen and sensitive ingredient control
- Foreign material prevention and control
- Receiving and inventory management
- Product and process evaluation
- Product traceability and mock recalls
- Packaging and labeling
- Storage and shipping
- Analytic records and laboratory support
- Employee training
Standards Involved in the QMS of Candy Production
Quality management in candy production involves a variety of processes and procedures to assure that the final product meets high standards, such as:
- ISO 9001:2015 specifies requirements for a quality management system when an organization needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
- ISO 22000:2018 specifies requirements for a food safety management system (FSMS) to enable an organization that is directly or indirectly involved in the food chain.
- BS EN 15593:2008 specifies requirements for a hygiene management system for manufacturers and suppliers of food packaging including storage and transportation.
Food Packaging Machinery
Packaging machinery is used throughout all packaging operations. This includes many packaging processes: fabrication, cleaning, filling, sealing, combining, labeling, overwrapping, palletizing. ANSI/PMMI B155.1-2023 covers the basic terminology, principles, and a methodology for achieving safety in the design and the use of machinery, and guidance is given for documenting this process. The goal of this American National Standard is to mitigate hazards associated with packaging machinery as much as possible in pursuit of a status that objectively can be deemed as safe.
Moreover, ISO/TS 22002‑4:2014 is applicable to all organizations, regardless of size or complexities that manufacture food packaging and/or intermediate products. The standard specifies requirements for establishing, implementing and maintaining prerequisite programs (PRPs) to assist in controlling food safety hazards in the manufacture of food packaging.
To pack food, various food packaging machines are used, and depending on the type of food being packed, packing comes in various types. The packing styles also change depending on the storage life of the product. In terms of Halloween candy, candy packaging machinery should consider the candy types and shapes, desired packaging styles, production volume, flexibility to handle different types of candies, cost-effectiveness, and hygiene standards and regulatory compliance.
Importance of Halloween Candy Packaging
The packaging of candy involves a sophisticated mechanical process designed to guarantee the quality, hygiene, and visual appeal of candy. The candies are weighed and poured into bags, boxes, or containers to be assembled into sealed shipping cartons.
Ultimately, the packaging of Halloween candy plays a critical role in preserving the freshness and quality of these treats. For example, to assure an effective quality management system, chocolate must be shielded from moisture, as exposure can lead to a problematic phenomenon known as sugar bloom, causing the formation of irregular sugar crystals on the candy’s surface. Specialized packaging materials, like foil wrappers and airtight bags, are used to protect from moisture and temperature fluctuations during transport.
The journey of Halloween candy—from the factory to the shipping center and downward to the vehicles that convey them to local retailers—has many essential steps that assure that your Halloween candy remains in pristine, fresh condition. So, as you enjoy your Halloween candy this year, take a moment to appreciate how standards played a key role in assuring the quality control and safety of your favorite sweet treat, from the factory to your trick or treat basket.