The question “Can you eat Starburst wrappers” might come to mind whenever you eat these sweet treats. Everyone must have been in this situation once: when you unwrap the candy, the wrapper pieces are still stuck on it. What to do now – eat them or not?
If you are a fan of Starburst, you might accidentally eat these small papers. Worry about your health? Read on and learn more about the truth behind these wrappers’ edibility. Plus, you’ll also know what they are made of or what to do with these wasted papers.
Starburst is a well-known candy brand with diverse fruit flavors and vibrant wrappers.
A Thing Or Two About Starburst And Its Wrappers
Before figuring out whether Starburst wrappers are edible, let’s get to know this famous candy and the making of its packaging. You won’t believe what these papers are made of.
What Is Starburst?
First introduced to the UK in 1960, this brand charmed the British with a sweet tooth under the name Opal Fruits. Not until seven years later did Starburst enter the candy market in the US. Interestingly, the candy brand in Great Britain is vegetarian, while the American version is not.
Back in the day, these box-shaped candies only had five flavors: blackcurrant, lemon & lime, orange, and strawberry. The flavor palette has been more diverse, with about ten different flavors. Yet, what mesmerizes buyers are the addictive acidic taste and chewy textures.
The main ingredients of Starburst candies comprise corn syrup, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, fruit powder, and sugar. Therefore, excessive consumption of these sweet treats can cause tooth decay and obesity. Besides, diabetes is another threat if you overeat sugar.
The candy strips are cut into a square shape in mass production and packed inside the designed wax paper. With this outer protection, Starburst cubes do not need to be heated or refrigerated. It doesn’t melt or give off any smell at room temperature.
Have you ever wondered about the history of the famous Starburst brand? Find out more here!
How Are Starburst Wrappers Made?
Since its first production, Starburst has utilized wax paper in its packaging. Made from paraffin wax, food-safe wax paper is nontoxic and harmless to the human body.(1) These wrappers are grease-proof and moisture-proof to provide the best protection for the candy.
Coated in wax, the papers protect candies from external threats, such as bacteria and moisture. This particular coat also helps to prevent the paper from annoyingly sticking to the sweet and retaining the shape of the edibles.
However, wax paper cannot keep your candy safe from high heat, so you should be cautious about where to store them. Due to the high heat, the sweet would melt. Chances are that these stubborn wrappers become too sticky to get off and leave some small traces on the candy.
Are Starburst Wrappers Biodegradable?
Developed from wax paper, Starburst wrappers give off a plastic feel. However, in contrast, they are biodegradable and compostable, which are more natural-friendly options for environmentally conscious people.
Compared to other candy brands in the market, Starburst deserves applause for its focus on the environment. Most brands use aluminum for their food handling since it has no effect on the flavor. However, the downside is that this component will take hundreds of years to decompose.
Starburst, on the contrary, chooses wax paper for its packaging. This material is biodegradable and can disintegrate in the soil in about a year.
Eating Starburst Wrappers – Should Or Shouldn’t
To eat or not to eat, that’s the question. Will any dire consequence happen to you if you chew on Starburst wrappers? Let’s set the record straight once and for all!
Why Do Some People Prefer To Eat Starburst Wrappers?
The main reason is slight wrapper traces often remain on the candy, and people may end up chewing them. While many can remove these pieces easily, some cannot help themself from devouring the sweets along with these papers. Children, in particular, are the perfect example.
As mentioned above, the paper material makes the wrappers seem edible. Therefore, people think they are harmless to consume. In fact, the papers provide a strangely joyful mouthfeel due to their texture and flavors.
The thing is that Starburst has never mentioned the edibility of these wax papers. Though the matter does exist, there are no complaints or poisonous events related to wrapper consumption. As a result, the company doesn’t need to address the issue.
So Are Starburst Wrappers Edible?
Short answer: Starburst wrappers are edible. They also share the same fruit aroma with the confectionery inside, which makes them seem quite addictive too. However, the wrappers are bland-tasting in essence.
Let’s be clear: not everyone intentionally eats Starburst wrappers. As I stated earlier, the tiny paper pieces will sometimes remain on the candy surface, and people easily consume these traces without careful removal. But don’t worry, as these small traces are safe to eat.
Starburst wrappers are not food like rice paper, so you should not eat them as a food item, especially in heavy quantities. Wax aside, you have limited information about the wrappers. There is no telling about hidden allergens or contaminants the exterior packaging might have.
Factors To Reconsider About Eating Starburst Wrappers
Although you can’t know the specific details about Starburst wrappers, you can still judge whether it’s safe to eat based on visual evidence. Check out these possible risks if you want to eat these protective papers.
Ink On The Packaging
In candy production, food-grade inks are chosen since they are water-based, nontoxic, and have zero UV-reactive chemistries. Therefore, they are safe for direct food contact, but that may not go for the same case with Starburst.
As the ink is not applied directly on the candy itself, it’s printed on the outside wrappers. Thus, you cannot tell whether the ink on the packaging is safe to eat. In reality, some inks have a tiny volume of heavy metals, which are not ideal for human health and the environment.
This simple explanation will give you a brief overview of edible ink. Tag along!
Colors On The Wrappers
Starburst is famous for its colorful packaging to present different fruit flavors. Accordingly, the wrappers also contain a large amount of dye. The problem is that the company doesn’t provide any information about the materials used in coloring the wrappers.
According to EPA, benzidine-based dyes are the often-used option for manufacturers to print on food handling(2). Unfortunately, benzidine is an aromatic amine that has been linked to bladder cancer in humans.
Since these colorants have nothing to do with the confectionery inside, your candy is safe. But the packaging is a different story. As you cannot identify the exact type of color used for the wrapping process, Starburst wrappers should not be on your food list.
Wax Papers Are Also A Problem
As I mentioned earlier, the innocuous wax papers used for the packaging are food-safe. However, since they are not food items, your body won’t accept and digest them, potentially leading to blockages and stomach pains.
A small portion of wax paper, like the tiny traces left on the opened candy, won’t be a big deal. They won’t cause any illness or adverse digestive effects. Conversely, excessive wrappers clump up in the digestive tract and will fully or partially block the intestine.
Side Effects Of Starburst Wrappers You Should Know
Even if you cannot resist the temptation of these colorful wrappers, think again after checking out their side effects. Also, keep reading to find out what to do if you eat these wrappers by accident.
Potential Health Risks
Eating these fruit-flavored wrappers may seem harmless initially, but long-term or large-quantity consumption may carry some potential health risks. Though they don’t cause life-threatening situations, some may require immediate medical care.
As stated earlier, large consumption of Starburst can cause blockages. Your stomach acids can work with the paper itself. However, wax is indigestible since it’s hydrophobic (meaning that it repels water). Large wax paper pieces can block the digestive tract, depending on the ink.
Even if your body eventually digests the wax papers, it would take a while, and your stomach may encounter discomfort. Early symptoms of blockage include sharp pain in the intestine, swelling, and vomiting. If you see these signs, contact a doctor immediately.
At worst, other unknown components in Starburst wrappers may react strongly with your body’s immune system, leading to a wide range of symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, or allergic reaction.
Accidentally Swallow A Wrapper? Here Are Solutions
If you accidentally chew one or two wrappers, there’s no need to dial for an ambulance. The best action is to wait until the wrapper passes out in the waste system. Drinking water is also advisable but avoids self-induced vomiting without guidance from a doctor.
In most cases, minor consumption of wax paper isn’t dangerous. They will pass out without delay, and you won’t feel the difference. Starburst wrappers are not sharp, so the chances of it cutting your esophagus are zero.
Unfortunately, that does not apply to everyone since there may be hidden allergens among the wrapper’s subcomponents. If you have a history of allergies, consult medical professionals to prepare for the worst.
As parents, you should also be cautious when treating children to Starburst. Compared to adults, they are more affected if they accidentally eat these wax papers. Wax wrappers can pose a choking threat to young children and obstruct their small intestines.
Excellent Ideas To Recycle Starburst Wrappers
Instead of eating wrappers, there are other ways to play with these colorful papers and turn them into something useful. Recycling these wax papers is also a way to protect the environment. Ensure the candy papers are clean enough before getting them to the business.
Carriers Like Bowls Or Buckets
Don’t discard Starburst wrappers. Instead, save them from making sizable bowls, bags, or any carrier by adding one wrapper to another. Use as many colorful papers as you like to create your desired craftwork. They are great for carrying small things like coins, candies, or pens.
Attire Or Accessories
Can you imagine a dress made from candy wrappers? But that’s possible. Creating fashionable clothing can cost approximately 12000 wrappers, so that seems a great excuse to buy more Starburst!
It’ll take a while to collect enough wasted papers, but all effort will pay off when you see the final dress. If you want something else less grand and time-consuming, use the same wrappers to make accessories, such as headbands, hair bows, bracelets, or even earrings.
Room Decorations
Duration is an outstanding feature of wrappers because they are meant to protect the candies from external circumstances. You can make use of this point and turn them into decorations. These paper-made chains or wreaths to hang on the wall will add more colors to your rooms.
Why don’t you transform the Starburst wasted wrappers into this cute little bracelet?
Irresistible Starburst-Based Recipes For The Sweeth Tooth
While I don’t recommend eating Starburst wrappers, its candies are something else. It won’t hurt to add some sweet treats to the daily diet. Do some experiments in your kitchen and make these fabulous candy-based creations.
1. Starburst Ice Cream
For Starburst fans and ice cream lovers, this recipe is the best of both worlds. This Starburst ice cream delivers the exact taste and color of the original candies, so go for whichever fruit flavors you prefer. But don’t mix all the flavors to avoid the unpleasant color of the dessert.
2. Pink Starburst Jello Shots
These pink Starburst jello shots would be great additions to your pink-themed party. Notice that there’s liquor in the ingredient list. Therefore, if you want to make these treats for a child party, just snip the alcohol, and they will be a massive hit with the little guests.
3. Pink Starburst Moonshine
Starburst candies are a perfect accompaniment with alcohol, and this pink Starburst moonshine recipe proves me correct. Best of all, Everclear, pink Starburst, and Splash Grenadine are all you need to create these crowd-pleasers.
FAQs
Gaining more knowledge benefits you, so I hope you won’t mind reading this extra information. Now you have learned about the edibility of Starburst wrappers, take a look at these related questions below:
Be Cautious With Starburst Wrappers!
Once you have read this far, you must have found the answer to whether Starburst wrappers are edible or not. These colorful papers are nontoxic, so you have nothing to worry about when eating their small traces accidentally.
However, that doesn’t mean you’re free to go off-limit with these wrappers since your intestine will have difficulty digesting them in large quantities. Also, be mindful of the number of candies you consume to avoid further problems with weight or health issues.
If you agree with what is written in this article, please give me a share to spread awareness to more Starburst fans. Also, comment to let me know what you think about these wrappers. I’ll make sure to read them all.
References
- ASKUSDA.
- Fact Sheet: Benzidine-Based Chemical Substances (no date) EPA. Environmental Protection Agency.
