KIDS STICK TO CANDY AS MOST DANDY: SURVEY

WILLIAM SMYTH

McLEAN, Va. -- According to a survey conducted by the National Confectioners and Chocolate Manufacturers Associations here, candy is still tops among children when trick-or-treating on Halloween.

"I think the overall reason why we did the survey is that we are seeing other snacks say that other snack alternatives are what kids want during the Halloween season," said Larry Graham, president of the NCA and CMA.

Despite current health trends, with fruit and granola being marketed to children as healthy snack alternatives, the NCA and CMA's survey states that candy is still No. 1 with children. "Candy has always been a part of all kinds of celebrations, but at Halloween, it definitely takes center stage," Graham said.

The Opinion Research Corp., Princeton, N.J., conducted the national telephone survey in August of 1999, and the report data came out in September. More than 1,000 children were called and asked what they prefer on Halloween. Children ages six to 11 said that candy is their favorite item. Eighty percent of kids said that chocolate, candy other than chocolate and gum are the top treats to receive. The next favorite item, small toys such as stickers, received 2% of the vote.

Children, ages nine to 11, prefer chocolate, and more than twice as many girls as boys said they preferred gum as a goodie.