Answering Your FAQ's About Sweets

Ever stood in front of a wall of sweets feeling completely lost? You're not alone. How many should you buy? Are they right for your family? And what's the deal with American sweets?

We chat with customers across England every day. The same Sweet FAQ's come up again and again. So we've gathered them here. You'll find honest answers, practical tips and a few ideas to make your next Sweets and Candy order easier.

We're a UK online sweet shop that's been around since 2004. We stock British retro sweets, American candy, chocolate, gifts and hampers. We deliver across the UK too.

Sweet FAQ's at a glance

What counts as a sweet in the UK?

In the UK, we call those sugary treats 'sweets'. You know:

• Jelly and gummy sweets
• Fizzy and sour sweets
• Boiled sweets and rock
• Toffees, caramels and fudge
• Chocolate bars and chocolate coated bites
• Lollipops, chews and foam sweets

Americans call them 'candy'. When you spot American sweets or American candy on our site, they're basically the same thing. Different brands, different flavours.

Are sweets bad for your teeth?

Let's be honest about this one.

Sugar itself isn't the problem. It's what happens next. Bacteria in your mouth use that sugar to make acid. That acid attacks your teeth. Keep that up and you risk tooth decay.

But you don't have to give up sweets. Just be sensible:

• Make sweets an occasional treat
• Have them with meals, not between them
• Drink water afterwards
• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Clean between your teeth

Here's something useful: sticky chewy sweets cling to teeth more than chocolate. Sugar free sweets use sweeteners that don't feed mouth bacteria, so they're better for your teeth.

You can enjoy sweets. Just look after your teeth too.

How many sweets is it reasonable for a child to have?

We get this question constantly.

Health professionals recommend limiting added sugar for children. Sweets count as added sugar. There's no perfect number for every child, but these ideas help:

• Think of sweets as 'sometimes foods'
• Give them a specific portion
• Once a day is enough

You know your kids best. A handful of pick and mix or a fun-size bar usually works.

We sell smaller bags and packs that make portioning easy. Having a party? Pre-fill cones, cups or treat bags. Everyone gets their share and you're not refereeing sweet disputes all afternoon.

Worried about your child's health or weight? Talking to your GP or health visitor would be recommended.

Are your sweets suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

Traditional chewy sweets often contain gelatine from animals. That's why vegetarians and vegans ask about this.

Good news. Many modern sweets use plant-based gelling agents like pectin and agar. You can find veggie and vegan versions of most favourites now.

At Sweets and Candy, we've made it simple:

• We have a Vegan sweets category
• Vegan options appear throughout our ranges
• We stock vegetarian-friendly choices

Shopping's easy:

• Use our Vegan or Vegetarian filters
• Read the ingredients and description
• Not sure? Drop us a line!

We think you should know exactly what you're buying.

Do you sell halal sweets?

Yes, we do.

For sweets, halal means the gelatine comes from halal sources. There's no alcohol in the flavourings either.

We stock:

• Halal sweets
• Halal pick and mix sweets
• Halal one kilogram bags

These use halal-certified gelatine. We mark them clearly as halal-friendly. Check the ingredients and allergy info anyway. Planning an event? Contact us if you need specific advice.

Can you enjoy sweets if you have allergies or coeliac disease?

Allergies and coeliac disease need proper care.

UK labelling rules help. Allergens must stand out in the ingredients list. They'll be bold or in capitals.

What to do:

• Check ingredients for anything in bold or CAPITALS
• Look for "may contain" warnings
• Browse our vegan, vegetarian and sugar-free ranges

Got a serious allergy or coeliac disease? Contact us before ordering. We'll help you find safe treats everyone can enjoy.

Remember: shared packing spaces mean there's always a small risk of cross-contact, even if the recipe doesn't contain that allergen.

Are American sweets safe in the UK?

You've probably seen news stories about banned American candy.

Some American sweets enter the UK through unofficial channels. These might contain additives or colourings that regulations don't allow here. Their labels might be missing allergen info. Or they're not even in English.

UK retailers like us follow British food laws for everything we sell. That includes American brands. So you get approved additives, English labels and complete allergen information.

On our site, you'll find ingredients lists in English. Questions? Ring us or email admin@sweetsandcandy.co.uk. If you're unsure about an American sweet, ask how we source it. Ask how it meets UK standards. We're happy to explain.

What's the difference between retro sweets, pick and mix, bulk sweets and sweet tubs?

Let's break these down:

• Retro sweets: The classics from childhood.
• Pick and mix sweets: Loose sweets you combine yourself.
• Bulk sweets: Big bags, usually a kilo. Perfect for events or big households.
• Sweet tubs: Ready-to-go tubs for the table or cupboard.

Choose retro for nostalgia, pick and mix for variety, bulk for events, tubs for easy sharing.

How many sweets should you order for a party or wedding?

There's no exact formula. But here's a starting point.

Many people planning events think about 150 to 200 grams per guest for weddings or sweet tables. Then adjust:

• Other desserts too? Use the lower amount
• Sweets are the main treat? Go higher
• Self-service sweet buffet? Go higher still

Quick maths: 200 grams for 50 guests equals about 10 kilos. Split that across different types.

Consider your crowd. A kids' party needs more sweets than an afternoon tea.

How should you store sweets and how long do they last?

Every pack has storage instructions and a date. Follow those.

General rules:

• Keep them cool and dry
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Use lidded containers for loose sweets
• Reseal bags and tubs after opening

The 'best before' date is about quality, not safety. Sweets taste best before then but won't suddenly spoil the next day.

Hard sweets last ages if you keep them dry. Jellies, gummies and marshmallows react to heat and humidity. Leave them open and they go sticky. Or they turn rock hard.

Are sugar free sweets and sweeteners better for you?

Sugar free sweets use sweeteners instead of sugar. You get sweetness without sugar calories.

Sweeteners approved for use in the UK go through safety tests. There are limits on amounts in foods. People use sugar free sweets to cut sugar or protect teeth.

Remember though:

• They're still treats
• Some sweeteners (like sorbitol) might cause digestive upset if you eat too many
• Got diabetes? Follow your doctor's advice

We have a Sugar free sweets section to help you find these.

How can you build a great sweet hamper or gift?

We sell ready-made gifts and hampers. But you might want to build your own.

Try these ideas:

• Retro hamper: Choose from our retro sweets section. Add some chocolate.
• American sweets hamper: Pick from our American candy boxes and ranges.
• Diet-specific hamper: Use our vegan, halal or sugar-free ranges for friends with dietary needs.
• Colour-themed hamper: Pink for a baby shower. Blue for birthdays. Seasonal colours for holidays.

Build Your Own sweets hamper: Too many to pick from? Create your own!

Add tissue paper and a handwritten note. Done.

Do you offer seasonal sweets?

We do.

• Halloween: Spooky sweets and themed mixes
• Christmas: Festive pick and mix, chocolate and hampers
• Easter: Easter pick and mix, chocolate eggs and bunnies

These ranges sell fast as each season approaches. Shop early for the best choice.

 

Bringing your Sweet FAQ's together

Let's sum up:

Sugar can harm teeth if you eat sweets constantly. But sensible portions and good dental care mean you can enjoy them.

Kids don't need loads of sweets. Small portions work best.

We have options for vegans, vegetarians, halal diets and sugar-free needs.

Allergies need careful label reading. For serious allergies, contact us first.

American sweets from UK retailers like us follow the rules. Much safer than imports with no proper labels.

Now you know what you need. Work out portions. Think about dietary needs. Create your perfect sweet selection.

Whether it's a treat bag, party spread or massive hamper, we're ready. We'll pick, pack and send your favourites to your door.