🎯 Worst Candy at Target

We ranked the 24 lowest-scoring candy products at Target based on real ingredient analysis. The average score is 36/100.

24
Products Ranked
36
Avg Score
13
Have Additives
14
Have Seed Oils

These products scored the lowest for ingredient safety among candy at Target. Every product has been analyzed for additives, seed oils, allergens, and harmful chemicals.

Worst Candy at Target — Full Rankings

#ProductBrandScoreFlags
1CIRCLE K, FAVORITES, STRAWBERRY TWISTSHoliday Candy Corp, Inc.0/1006 additives, 6 seed oils, 1 allergen
2ORIGINAL GRAPE, GREEN APPLE, LEMON, STRAWBERRY, ORANGE BITE SIZE CANDIES, ORIGINALMars Chocolate North America LLC1/10010 additives, 6 seed oils
3CIRCLE K, FAVORITES, ORANGE SLICES SWEET CHEWY CANDYHoliday Candy Corp, Inc.5/1002 additives, 3 seed oils
4CIRCLE K, FAVORITES, GUMMI WORMSHoliday Candy Corp, Inc.6/1007 additives, 1 seed oil, 1 allergen
5CIRCLE K, FAVORITES, CHEWY FRUITY CANDY, CHERRY SOURS, CHERRY SOURSHoliday Candy Corp, Inc.10/10011 additives, 3 seed oils
6CIRCLE K, FAVORITES, PEACH RINGSHoliday Candy Corp, Inc.11/1007 additives, 2 seed oils, 1 allergen
7Candy Cane ChapstickUnknown12/1007 additives, 2 seed oils
8Skittles Pop'dSkittles12/1006 additives, 6 seed oils
9Favorites, Atomic Fireballs Rockin' Hot CandyCircle K, Holiday Candy Corp Inc.15/1003 additives, 2 seed oils
10ASSORTED CARAMELS SUGAR FREE CHOCOLATE CANDY, ASSORTED CARAMELSRussell Stover Candies Inc.20/100Clean label ✓
11ORIGINAL GRAPE, LEMON, LIME, STRAWBERRY, ORANGE JELLY BEANS, ORIGINALMars, Inc.25/100Clean label ✓
12Skittles Original CandySkittles30/1002 seed oils
13MILK CHOCOLATE CANDY, MILK CHOCOLATEThe Hershey Company30/1002 additives, 2 allergens
14ORIGINAL BITE SIZE CANDIES, ORIGINALMars, Inc.30/1004 seed oils
15MIXED FRUIT GRAPE, STRAWBERRY, ORANGE, APPLE, BLUE RASPBERRY & CHERRY FRUIT-FLAVORED SNACKS, MIXED FRUITTarget Stores33/1008 additives, 1 seed oil, 1 allergen
16AMERICA'S CLASSIC CARAMELS CANDYKraft Heinz Foods Company54/1002 additives, 3 seed oils, 2 allergens
17MARKET PANTRY, FRUIT SNACKS, STRAWBERRY, STRAWBERRYTarget Stores68/100Clean label ✓
18MARKET PANTRY, FRUIT SNACKS, MIXED FRUIT, MIXED FRUITTarget Stores68/100Clean label ✓
19CANDY FAVORITES HOLIDAY ROYAL MIXBig Y Foods, Inc.68/100Clean label ✓
20HOLIDAY FAVORITES JELLY BEANS, EGG NOG; CANDY CANE; PUMPKIN PIE; CRANBERRY SAUCE; HOT CHOCOLATEJelly Belly Candy Company68/100Clean label ✓
21HOLIDAY FAVORITES JELLY BEANS, CRANBERRY SAUCE, CANDY CANE, PUMPKIN PIE, EGG NOG, HOT CHOCOLATEJelly Belly Candy Company68/100Clean label ✓
22CANDY ASSORTMENT PUMPKIN, PEANUT BUTTER CUP, KITKAT, MILK CHOCOLATE & PEANUT BUTTER, MILK CHOCOLATE & PEANUT BUTTERThe Hershey Company68/100Clean label ✓
23DARK CHOCOLATE CANDY ASSORTMENTHERSHEY'S78/100Clean label ✓
24MILK CHOCOLATE & PEANUT BUTTER CREME SANTAS, MILK CHOCOLATE & PEANUT BUTTER CREMEThe Hershey Company78/1001 additive, 6 seed oils, 3 allergens

⚠️ Why These Products Score Low

The most common issues include artificial additives, seed oils, and artificial colors. Many of these products contain ingredients that are banned or restricted in the EU but still legal in the US.

How to Find Healthier Alternatives at Target

  1. Download CheckIt AI — scan any product with your phone camera, no barcode needed.
  2. Check the score — products scoring 70+ are considered clean. Below 40 means caution.
  3. Compare side-by-side — use AR shelf scanning to see scores for every product on the shelf.
  4. Save your favorites — build a list of verified safe products for your Target shopping trips.
📬

Get Your Free Weekly Clean Food Guide

Join health-conscious shoppers. Every week: worst products to avoid, cleanest new finds, and FDA recall alerts.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Scan Candy at Target Free →

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the worst candy at Target?
Based on ingredient analysis, the lowest-scoring candy at Target include CIRCLE K, FAVORITES, STRAWBERRY TWISTS (0/100), ORIGINAL GRAPE, GREEN APPLE, LEMON, STRAWBERRY, ORANGE BITE SIZE CANDIES, ORIGINAL (1/100), CIRCLE K, FAVORITES, ORANGE SLICES SWEET CHEWY CANDY (5/100).
How many candy does Target carry?
We've analyzed 24 candy products at Target. The average safety score is 36/100.
What should I avoid in candy at Target?
Common concerns in Target candy include artificial additives, seed oils, and artificial colors. Use CheckIt AI to scan any product before buying.

Related Rankings

Best Candy at Target Worst Snacks at Target Worst Cereal at Target Worst Frozen Foods at Target Worst Chips at Target Worst Cookies at Target Worst Drinks at Target

Same Category, Different Stores

Worst Candy at Walmart Worst Candy at Costco Worst Candy at Trader Joe's Worst Candy at Whole Foods Worst Candy at Kroger Worst Candy at ALDI All Worst Rankings Target Report Card Category Rankings
CheckIt AI
CheckIt AI
★★★★★ 4.7 · 202+ reviews

See what's really in your food

Scan any food label instantly. No barcode needed. 26,000+ products scored.

Download Free on the App Store →

Free · No credit card required · Works on iPhone & Android

Scanner Apps

Gluten Scanner AppDairy Scanner AppSeed Oil Scanner AppPeanut Allergy Scanner AppADHD Food Scanner AppIBS Food Scanner AppPregnancy Food Scanner AppCarnivore Diet Scanner AppKeto Scanner AppPaleo Scanner AppVegan Scanner AppCeliac Scanner AppMigraine Food Scanner AppKidney Diet Scanner AppCrohn's Food Scanner AppThyroid Scanner AppPCOS Food Scanner AppGout Food Scanner AppEczema Food Scanner AppToddler Food Scanner AppHeart Health Scanner AppAthlete Nutrition Scanner AppAcne Food Scanner AppFODMAP Scanner AppAIP Scanner AppMold Toxin Scanner AppHistamine Scanner AppOxalate Scanner AppNightshade Scanner AppSoy Scanner AppCorn Scanner AppEgg Allergy Scanner AppTree Nut Scanner AppShellfish Allergy Scanner AppSulfite Scanner AppSalicylate Scanner AppLectin Scanner AppSugar-Free Scanner AppLow Sodium Scanner AppMediterranean Diet Scanner AppWhole30 Scanner AppDiabetic Food Scanner AppColitis Food Scanner AppIC Food Scanner AppLupus Food Scanner AppHashimoto's Scanner AppEndometriosis Food Scanner AppAutoimmune Food Scanner AppBaby Formula Scanner AppPet Food Scanner AppSenior Nutrition Scanner AppOzempic Food Scanner AppWegovy Food Scanner AppMounjaro Food Scanner AppUltra-Processed Food ScannerHalal Food Scanner AppKosher Food Scanner AppAnti-Inflammatory Scanner AppCandida Diet Scanner AppSIBO Food Scanner AppLeaky Gut Scanner AppCholesterol Food Scanner AppBlood Pressure Scanner AppWeight Loss Food Scanner AppPesticide Food Scanner AppHeavy Metal Scanner AppPFAS Food Scanner AppBreastfeeding Food Scanner AppAutism Food Scanner AppFertility Food Scanner AppGAPS Diet Scanner AppElimination Diet Scanner AppLow Carb Scanner AppNanny Food Scanner AppGrocery Store Scanner AppFood Allergy Scanner AppDye-Free Food Scanner AppMuscle Building Scanner AppMarathon Runner Scanner AppKids Food Scanner AppFood Sensitivity Scanner AppClean Label Scanner AppFSA/HSA Food Scanner AppWhole Food Scanner AppDog Food Scanner AppCat Food Scanner App

Ingredient Safety

Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6AspartameBHABHTSodium NitriteCarrageenanSucraloseTitanium DioxidePotassium BromateHigh Fructose Corn SyrupMSGSodium BenzoateTBHQPolysorbate 80Red 3Caramel ColorSoy LecithinNatural FlavorsAcesulfame-KMaltodextrinXanthan GumGuar GumCitric AcidErythritolBlue 1Propyl GallateMono & DiglyceridesPectinAcacia GumAgarAnnattoAutolyzed YeastAzodicarbonamideBVOCalcium PropionateCarnauba WaxCelluloseDATEMDisodium InosinateGellan GumKonjacLocust Bean GumMethylcelluloseSodium AlginateSodium Aluminum PhosphateTragacanth Gum

Food Safety Answers

Is Red 40 Banned in Europe?What Foods Have Seed Oils?Is Carrageenan Safe?Worst Food AdditivesIs BHA Safe?Does Gatorade Have Food Dye?Titanium Dioxide in FoodIs Aspartame Safe?Is Sodium Nitrite Dangerous?Is MSG Bad for You?What Is HFCS?Is Sucralose Safe?Food Dye Banned in Europe?Is Potassium Bromate Banned?What Is Natural Flavors?Is Soy Lecithin Bad?Is Maltodextrin Bad?Is Xanthan Gum Safe?Is Red 3 Banned?Is TBHQ Bad?Foods Banned in Other CountriesIs Citric Acid Bad?What Is Polysorbate 80?Is Caramel Color Safe?Is Palm Oil Bad?What Is Cellulose in Food?Is Acesulfame-K Safe?Is Erythritol Safe?Is Guar Gum Safe?Is Food in America Safe?Cheerios & PesticidesBest Food Scanner AppHow to Read Food LabelsIs Yellow 5 Safe?Are Preservatives Bad?Artificial Sweetener SafetyIs Canola Oil Bad?Hidden Names for SugarFoods That Cause InflammationIs Annatto Safe?Is Azodicarbonamide Safe?Is Calcium Propionate Safe?Is Carnauba Wax Safe?Is Gelatin Halal?Is Locust Bean Gum Safe?Mono & Diglycerides SafetyIs Pectin Safe?Propylene Glycol in FoodWhat Is Agar Agar?What Is BVO?What Is DATEM?What Is Sodium Alginate?What Is Sodium Benzoate?

Cleanest Rankings

Cleanest Protein BarsCleanest CerealCleanest YogurtCleanest ChipsCleanest SnacksCleanest BreadCleanest SaucesCleanest JuiceCleanest CookiesCleanest CandyCleanest Ice CreamCleanest PastaCleanest Baby FoodCleanest Energy DrinksCleanest Protein PowderCleanest Frozen MealsCleanest CondimentsCleanest SodaCleanest Pet Food

Free-From Finder

Protein Bars Without Seed OilsCereal Without Artificial ColorsSnacks Without PreservativesYogurt Without Artificial SweetenersChips Without Seed OilsCookies Without Artificial ColorsCandy Without Artificial ColorsSoda Without Artificial SweetenersFrozen Meals Without MSGBaby Food Without SugarEnergy Drinks Without SweetenersProtein Bars Without SweetenersSnacks Without Seed OilsCereal Without SugarBread Without PreservativesIce Cream Without CarrageenanPasta Without Gluten

Store Scan Results

Costco Protein Bars RankedWalmart Cereal RankedTarget Snacks RankedWhole Foods Yogurt RankedKroger Bread RankedAldi Snacks RankedCostco Snacks RankedWalmart Chips RankedTarget Cookies RankedTrader Joe's Snacks RankedWhole Foods Bread RankedWalmart Juice RankedTarget Cereal RankedWalmart Bread RankedKroger Snacks RankedAldi Cereal RankedWhole Foods Snacks RankedKroger Cereal RankedAldi Bread RankedTrader Joe's Cereal RankedCostco Bread Ranked

Ingredient Comparisons

Red 40 vs Yellow 5Red 40 vs Yellow 6Aspartame vs SucraloseAspartame vs HFCSBHA vs BHTRed 40 vs AspartameCarrageenan vs Soy LecithinSucralose vs HFCSTBHQ vs BHATBHQ vs BHTRed 40 vs Titanium DioxideRed 40 vs Caramel ColorMSG vs Natural FlavorsSodium Benzoate vs Potassium BromateYellow 5 vs Red 3Polysorbate 80 vs CarrageenanXanthan Gum vs Guar GumRed 40 vs Red 3Erythritol vs SucraloseMaltodextrin vs HFCSAll Ingredient Comparisons

Store Reports

Walmart Report CardTarget Report CardCostco Report CardKroger Report CardWhole Foods Report CardTrader Joe's Report CardAldi Report CardSam's Club Report Card

Original Research

All Research StudiesGrocery Product Safety StudySeed Oil CensusSafest Grocery StoresSchool Lunch Safety ReportMost Common AdditivesBanned Ingredients in US Products

App Comparisons

CheckIt vs YukaCheckIt vs EWGCheckIt vs FooducateCheckIt vs MyFitnessPalCheckIt vs Think DirtyCheckIt vs FigCheckIt vs SooseeCheckIt vs NoomYuka vs EWGYuka vs Fooducate

Category Safety Reports

All CategoriesSnacks Safety ReportFrozen Foods SafetySweet Snacks ReportDesserts Safety ReportMeals Safety ReportBiscuits & CrackersChips Safety ReportCereals Safety ReportSalty Snacks ReportPlant-Based SafetyBeverages Safety

Store × Category Rankings

Walmart Snacks RankedCostco Snacks RankedTarget Snacks RankedWalmart Cereals RankedCostco Frozen FoodsTarget Desserts RankedWhole Foods SnacksTrader Joe's SnacksALDI Snacks RankedKroger Cereals Ranked

Worst & Best Rankings

Worst CandyWorst ChipsWorst SnacksWorst CerealsWorst Frozen FoodsBest SnacksBest CerealsBest Frozen FoodsBest Plant-BasedBest Desserts

Recipe & Meal Guides

All Recipe GuidesGluten-Free BreakfastGluten-Free SnacksDairy-Free DinnerVegan SnacksKeto BreakfastSeed Oil-Free SnacksGluten-Free Dairy-Free SnacksGluten-Free Soy-Free SnacksGF + DF + SF SnacksVegan Gluten-Free SnacksTop 8 Allergen-Free SnacksGF Snacks Without Seed OilsDairy-Free Nut-Free BreakfastGF DF EF Desserts

Store Allergy Guides

GF + DF Snacks at WalmartGF + DF Snacks at CostcoGF + DF Snacks at KrogerGF + DF Snacks at TargetGF + DF Snacks at ALDINut-Free Snacks at WalmartNut-Free Breakfast at CostcoVegan GF Dinner at KrogerDF + SF Lunch at WalmartGF + DF + SF at CostcoTop 8 Free at KrogerSeed Oil Free + GF at Walmart

Brand Report Cards

All Brand ReportsNestlé Safety ReportKellogg's Safety ReportGeneral Mills ReportPringles Safety ReportHaribo Safety ReportMission Foods ReportDoritos Safety ReportCheetos Safety ReportOreo Safety ReportLay's Safety Report

Safe for Conditions

All Condition GuidesIBS-Safe SnacksGERD-Safe DrinksDiabetic-Friendly BreakfastCeliac-Safe SnacksLow-Histamine DinnerADHD-Friendly SnacksAutoimmune BreakfastMigraine-Safe SnacksCrohn's-Safe SnacksEczema-Safe SnacksPCOS-Friendly Breakfast

Store Diet Guides

GF Snacks at WalmartVegan Snacks at WalmartKeto Protein Bars at CostcoGF Snacks at CostcoVegan Snacks at Trader Joe'sGF Cereal at Trader Joe'sDF Snacks at TargetLow Sugar Cereal at KrogerPaleo Snacks at Whole FoodsGF Snacks at ALDI

Diet Product Finder

All Diet ProductsKeto Energy DrinksVegan Protein BarsGluten-Free CerealLow Sugar CookiesDairy-Free Ice CreamPaleo JerkySeed Oil-Free ChipsNut-Free Granola BarsGluten-Free BreadVegan Chocolate

Banned in Europe

All Banned IngredientsRed 40 (Allura Red)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow)Red 3 (Erythrosine)Titanium DioxideBHABHTPotassium BromateBrominated Vegetable OilAzodicarbonamideTBHQ

Store Rankings

All Store RankingsWorst Snacks at WalmartWorst Cereal at CostcoWorst Candy at TargetBest Snacks at WalmartBest Snacks at CostcoBest Snacks at Trader Joe'sBest Cereal at Whole FoodsBest Yogurt at TargetWorst Chips at KrogerBest Bread at ALDI

GLP-1 Friendly Foods

All GLP-1 Friendly FoodsGLP-1 Protein BarsGLP-1 YogurtGLP-1 SnacksGLP-1 CerealGLP-1 JerkyGLP-1 Protein Bars at WalmartGLP-1 Snacks at CostcoGLP-1 Yogurt at Trader Joe'sGLP-1 Cereal at Target

Hidden Ingredient Names

All Hidden NamesHidden Names for MSGHidden Names for SugarHidden Names for HFCSHidden Names for Food DyesHidden Names for SoyHidden Names for Trans FatHidden Names for GlutenHidden Names for DairyHidden Names for Seed OilsHidden Names for Palm Oil

Reformulation Tracker

All ReformulationsFanta Orange ChangesMountain Dew ChangesKraft Mac & CheeseCheerios ChangesGatorade ChangesPepsi ChangesTrix Cereal ChangesSubway Bread Changes

Food Safety by Age

All Age GuidesToddler-Safe SnacksBaby-Safe BreakfastKids-Safe SnacksKids-Safe LunchPregnancy-Safe SnacksPregnancy-Safe BreakfastSenior-Friendly SnacksAthlete SnacksNursing-Safe DrinksTeen-Safe Snacks

Ultra-Processed Rankings

All UPF RankingsMost Processed SnacksMost Processed CerealsMost Processed CandyMost Processed ChipsMost Processed Frozen FoodsUPF Snacks at WalmartUPF Cereal at CostcoUPF Chips at TargetUPF Candy at Walmart

Cleanest Brands

All Cleanest BrandsCleanest Snack BrandsCleanest Cereal BrandsCleanest Chip BrandsCleanest Cookie BrandsCleanest Yogurt BrandsCleanest Bread BrandsCleanest Baby Food BrandsCleanest Protein Bar BrandsCleanest Frozen Food Brands

Ingredient Side Effects

All Side EffectsRed 40 Side EffectsYellow 5 Side EffectsAspartame Side EffectsSucralose Side EffectsMSG Side EffectsBHA Side EffectsSodium Benzoate Side EffectsCarrageenan Side EffectsHFCS Side EffectsCaramel Color Side Effects

Brand Exposure Reports

All Brand ReportsNestlé ExposedKellogg's ExposedGeneral Mills ExposedFrito-Lay ExposedKraft ExposedCoca-Cola ExposedPepsi ExposedMars ExposedMondelēz Exposed

Guides & Tools

Download CheckIt AIUser ReviewsFood RecallsBanned in EuropeFood Safety ReportIngredient GlossaryStore RankingsIngredient EncyclopediaHealthier Swap FinderOur MethodologyIngredient ComparisonsTopic GuidesAll Food Safety AnswersOpen DataWhat's Really In Your Food
4.7
from 202+ ratings on the App Store
📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Worst Candy at Target — 24 Products Ranked by Ingredient Safety | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/worst-at/target/candy
MLA"Worst Candy at Target — 24 Products Ranked by Ingredient Safety | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/worst-at/target/candy.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/worst-at/target/candy">Worst Candy at Target — 24 Products Ranked by Ingredient Safety | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026worstattargetcandy, title = {Worst Candy at Target — 24 Products Ranked by Ingredient Safety | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/worst-at/target/candy}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }