This is a five-part series, posting on Fridays throughout October, debunking common myths about Halloween candy brands.

It’s always fun to learn the origins behind your favorite brands, but not every tale is as it seems. Life Savers, once flat, round orbs, were said to have been redesigned after the creator’s daughter choked on one of the mint candies. The hole in the candy’s center would supposedly prevent a full blockage if lodged in a child’s throat, allowing them to continue breathing as the candy melted.

Source: Wikipedia

While this could prove to be a life-saving redesign, it’s not the true story. In reality, the change was a result of many a product redesign: efficiency. The machines that produced these candies simply worked better if the mints had holes in the middle, and when the creator recognized their resemblance to life preservers, the Life Savers brand was born.

Just how many parents continue to make their purchase decisions based on this myth is unknown, but I doubt Mars, Inc. cares either way.

What are your favorite Halloween candy myths? Share them with us in the Comments and we might cover them for our special Halloween edition of Tales from the Candy Factory!