It’s fair to say that most people figure that when they are eating candy, they are eating “bad food” with sugars, dyes, additives and most time excess saturated fat.  With the world “going green,” they forgot to include the worlds supply of candy.  Now one of the most traditional treats, Necco wafers, has changed it’s protocol and gone “Au Natural.” 

Necco sure hopes so. The 162-year-old Massachusetts company is taking its venerable Necco Wafers all-natural, making them the largest mass-produced candy line in the U.S. to shed artificial flavoring and colors.

Necco, short for New England Confectionary Co., cranks out about 4 billion of the roughly quarter-sized wafers each year, packaging them in large rolls (36 wafers) and junior rolls (nine wafers). Beet juice, purple cabbage, cocoa powder and turmeric — a spice often used in curries — are some of the natural ingredients in the new wafers, which will be phased in at retail stores before and after Halloween(source).

     Above is the “old” version.  Below this paragraph is the new version.  See anything different? 

     Notice there isn’t a green.  That’s because the company couldn’t formulate a natural green color. 

    Necco also makes the “ever- popular” candy hearts at valentine’s day.  Hopefully, this will set a trend in the candy industry.  There are plenty of kids and adults out there that are sensitive to additives and dyes that will appreciate this company take steps to a chemical free candy.

Adria Ali