Candy corn. Just the name makes some people salivate and others sick to their stomachs. As Halloween returns candy corn to prominence, it also re-ignites a long-running divisive debate: Is it a perfect candy or is it an abomination? For many, candy corn represents the reason for the season. Most of the nine billion kernels, more than 35 million pounds, produced annually – according to past pronouncements by the National Confectioners Association – are eaten around Halloween. But not everyone loves, or even likes, the candy. In fact, many despise it. Perhaps those who dislike it do so because of its waxy texture and humdrum flavor. "From a sensory perspective, the hatred of candy corn can be explained because, unlike many candies, its flavor profile doesn't incorporate contrast," said Paul Adams, a senior editor at Cook's Illustrated Magazine, which is published by America's Test Kitchen, told USA TODAY. The ingredients in candy corn might surprise some candy lovers. In addition to sugar, corn syrup, salt, sesame oil, honey, artificial flavor, and food colorings, candy corn also has gelatin and confectioner's glaze as ingredients. Those last two items have led some candy corn detractors to note that candy corn is made of animal hides and bones, like Jello gelatin. And confectioner's glaze, also known as shellac, is made from lac-resin which – are you ready for this? – is a bug secretion. The lac bug, a parasite found in tropical and subtropical regions, according to news site Science Daily, secretes a waxy waterproof coating to protect itself. How do you feel about the haunting, holiday treat.👻Let us know in the comments⬇️ #candycorn #happyhalloween🎃