Safrole, the aromatic oil found in sassafras roots and bark that gave traditional root beer its distinctive flavor, was banned in commercially mass-produced foods and drugs by the FDA in 1960. [1] Laboratory animals that were given oral doses of sassafras tea or sassafras oil that contained large doses of safrole developed permanent liver damage or various types of cancer. [1] While sassafras is no longer used in commercially produced root beer and is sometimes replaced with artificial flavors, natural extracts with the safrole distilled and removed are available. [11] [12] Traditional method IBC’s root beer candies are shaped like the traditional barrel. And they’re sugar-free, making them a great choice for your teeth as well as your waistline! And they are expensive. So if you want to eat large quantities, be prepared to take the hit to your wallet. It may still be a better option, though, than taking the hit to your waistline! Root beer is a mixture of flavors – but with some brands, you’ll find one element is more pronounced. With Claeys, for example, there’s a strong hint of licorice. And with Mike and Ike’s, there are fruitier, lemony tones.

Enjoy the classic flavour of this beloved soda variety in yummy, hard candy root beer treats in the shape of mini barrels! They’re a nostalgic favourite!

Note, though, that there are artificial flavors and plenty of sugar here. So it’s a good idea to ration the amount you give to little ones. There’s also a caramel coloring to give the candy that distinctive brown root beer shade. a b Smith, Andrew (November 30, 2012). The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America. pp.1, 188. ISBN 978-0199734962. a b c Dietz, B; Bolton, Jl (April 2007). "Botanical dietary supplements gone bad". Chemical Research in Toxicology. 20 (4): 586–90. doi: 10.1021/tx7000527. ISSN 0893-228X. PMC 2504026. PMID 17362034. But if you are watching your weight or worried about tooth decay, there are other options. Both IBC and Ice Chips offer sugar-free formulations. In both cases, they’re very tasty. But they are more expensive. And the IBC version uses artificial sweeteners, to which some people are intolerant.

Root Beer Barrels are a classic candy that capture the distinct flavor of root beer in a hard candy form. Here's a brief history of Root Beer Barrels candy: These are shaped like the traditional barrels, so there’s plenty to get your teeth into. They’ve got the rich dark brown color you’d expect from root beer. And the taste is a full, sweet and classic. They are one of the more expensive options on our list. But if you want to reduce your sugar intake while still getting a sweet flavor, you may feel they’re worth it. The dark brown shade comes courtesy of a range of artificial food colorings. It’s made from Red 40, Yellows 5 and 6, and Blues 1 and 3. If you have a child who’s sensitive to colorings, they should steer clear of these.Some people will enjoy the milder flavor of home-made root beer. Others like the more intense hit of commercially produced versions. This product contains genetically modified organisms. E102, E110, and E129 may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children. Not everyone has the same idea of what makes a good root beer. And that’s just as true when it comes to root beer flavored confectionery! And they also contain a lot of sugar. There’s more sugar, in fact, than any other ingredient. Each candy contains 30 calories.

Since safrole, a key component of sassafras, was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1960 due to its carcinogenicity, most commercial root beers have been flavored using artificial sassafras flavoring, [1] [2] but a few (e.g. Hansen's) use a safrole-free sassafras extract. [3] Two pieces of candy contain just five calories, making this a great option if you’re watching your weight. And the sugar-free formula means you won’t have to worry about tooth decay either. Ehler, James (2022). "Root beer: why does it foam so much?". FoodReference.com . Retrieved 21 April 2022.Funderburg, Anne Cooper (2002). Sundae Best: A History of Soda Fountains. Popular Press. pp.93–95. ISBN 978-0879728540– via Google Books. But be aware that they’re chips of candy, rather than evenly shaped and sized sweets. They’re not individually wrapped, although the tin does offer some protection from the heat. Their root beer flavored hard candy comes in a six-ounce bag. You’ll get about 32 pieces in each one. It’s the perfect size for picnics or keeping the kids quiet on a long car journey! Bennett, Eileen (June 28, 1998). "Local Historians Argue Over the Root of Hires". The Press of Atlantic City . Retrieved April 5, 2015.

That brings us to the end of our round-up of the ten best root beer barrels on the market. We hope it’s helped you choose the perfect treat to satisfy your craving! Mug Root Beer: Mug Root Beer was originally marketed as “Belfast Root Beer” during the 1940s by the Belfast Beverage Company. The product name was later changed to Mug Old Fashioned Root Beer, which was then shortened to Mug Root Beer. Currently manufactured and distributed by PepsiCo, Mug's brand mascot is a bulldog named “Dog.” The other thing to note with these is that they’re a little brittle. If you like to crunch your hard candy, you’ll enjoy them. If you prefer a chewier texture, though, go for a different brand. I remember when I was ten years old and I played school baseball. Before every game I would always put a root beer barrel in my mouth and chew it up and the flavor would be in my mouth throughout the game. I felt it gave me the extra push to give 110%.

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Each candy is the traditional barrel shape. It even has markings for the bands of wood! And it has a rich and creamy flavor that for many people is the perfect root beer taste. Root beer barrels taste like a combination of root beer and hard candy. They are sweet and chewy, and they have a slightly fizzy taste. Some people also say that they have a slightly herbal flavor. The candies come individually wrapped, and they’re keenly priced. If you don’t mind sugar and artificial colorings, they’re an excellent buy. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Charles Hires would have a lot to feel flattered about. The success of his commercial root beer sales soon inspired competition. Here are some of the most notable root beer brands. The flavorings here are a mixture of natural and artificial. They include various fruit juices from concentrate – pear, orange, lemon, lime, strawberry and cherry. Some people think the result tastes just like root beer. Others have compared it to lemonade.