Section 701.231.4. Sales of candy.

         231.4(1) Definitions. Sales of candy were excluded from exemption prior to July 1, 2004; however, the definition of “candy” applicable to the exclusion was slightly different from the definition set out in this rule. Reference rule 701—20.1(422,423). This rule and the following definitions apply to sales of candy on or after July 1, 2004.

            a.                Candy. For the purposes of this rule, “candy” is a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. “Candy” shall not include any preparation containing flour and shall require no refrigeration. Any preparation to which flour has been added only for the purpose of excluding the candy’s sales from tax and not for any legitimate purpose, culinary or otherwise, shall not be sold exempt from tax under this rule. This definition is intended to be used when a person is trying to determine if a product that is commonly thought of as “candy” is in fact “candy.” For example, the definition would be applied in a situation where a person is trying to determine if a product is “candy” as opposed to a cookie. The definition is not intended to be applied to every type of food product sold. Many products, such as meat products, breakfast cereals, potato chips, and canned fruits and vegetables are not commonly thought of as “candy.” The definition of “candy” is not applicable to products such as these since they are not commonly thought of as candy.

            b.                Preparation. Candy must be a “preparation” that contains certain ingredients, other than flour. A “preparation” is a product that is made by means of heating, coloring, molding, or otherwise processing any of the ingredients listed in the definition of “candy.” For example, reducing maple syrup into pieces and adding coloring to make maple candy is a form of preparation.

            c.                Bars, drops or pieces. Candy must be sold in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.

             (1)             A “bar” is a product that is sold in the form of a square, oblong, or similar form. For example, if Company A sells one-pound square blocks of chocolate, the blocks of chocolate are “bars.”

             (2)             A “drop” is a product that is sold in a round, oval, pear-shaped, or similar form. For example, if Company B sells chocolate chips in a bag, each individual chocolate chip contains all of the ingredients indicated on the label and the chocolate chips are “drops.”

             (3)             A “piece” is a portion that has the same makeup as the product as a whole. Individual ingredients and loose mixtures of items that make up the product as a whole are not pieces. Exception: If a loose mixture of different items that make up the product as a whole are all individually considered candy and are sold as one product, that product is also candy.

Example 1: Company C sells jellybeans in a bag. Each jellybean is made up of the ingredients indicated on the label. Each jellybean is a “piece” or “drop.”

Example 2: Company D sells trail mix in a bag. The product being sold (trail mix) is made up of a mixture of carob chips, peanuts, raisins, and sunflower seeds. The individual items that make up the trail mix are not “pieces,” but instead are the ingredients, which, when combined, make up the trail mix. Therefore, the trail mix is not sold in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.

Example 3: Company E sells a product called “candy lovers mix.” Candy lovers mix is a product that is made up of a loose mixture of jellybeans, toffee, and caramels. Individually, the jellybeans, toffee, and caramels are all candy. The sale of the mixture is the sale of candy since all of the individual items that make up the product are individually considered to be candy.

Example 4: Company F sells cotton candy which is packaged and sold in grocery stores. Cotton candy contains sugar, corn syrup, water, coloring, and flavoring; it does not contain flour. Cotton candy is not “candy” because it is not sold in the form of a bar, drop, or piece. Cotton candy is, however, “prepared food” under Iowa Code section 423.3(57)“f.”

            d.                Flour. In order for a product to be treated as containing “flour,” the product label must specifically list the word “flour” as one of the ingredients. There is no requirement that the “flour” be grain-based, and it does not matter what the flour is made from. Many products that are commonly thought of as “candy” contain flour, as indicated on the ingredient label and therefore are specifically excluded from the definition of “candy.” Ingredient labels must be examined to determine which products contain flour and which products do not contain flour. Any preparation to which flour has been added only for the purpose of excluding its sales from tax and not for any legitimate purpose, culinary or otherwise, shall not be sold exempt from tax under this rule. For example, a candy bar that contains flour, for a legitimate purpose, is excluded from the definition of “candy.”

Example 1: The ingredient list for a breakfast bar lists “flour” as one of the ingredients. This breakfast bar is not “candy” since it contains flour.

Example 2: The ingredient list for a breakfast bar lists “peanut flour” as one of the ingredients. This breakfast bar is not “candy” because it contains flour.

Example 3: The ingredient list for a breakfast bar that otherwise meets the definition of “candy” lists “whole grain” as one of the ingredients, but does not specifically list “flour” as one of the ingredients. This breakfast bar is “candy” because the word “flour” is not included in the ingredient list.

Example 4: Company E sells a box of chocolates that are not individually wrapped. The ingredient list on the label for the box of chocolates identifies flour as one of the ingredients. The box of chocolates is not “candy” since flour is identified as one of the ingredients on the label.

Example 5: Company F sells a box of chocolates that are not individually wrapped. The ingredient list on the label for the box of chocolates, which otherwise meets the definition of “candy,” does not identify flour as one of the ingredients. The box of chocolates is “candy.”

Example 6: Company G sells high-end licorice—licorice A and licorice B. Licorice A would otherwise be “candy,” but its wrapper lists “flour” as an ingredient. Licorice A is not “candy.” Licorice B is the same as licorice A, except it does not contain “flour.” Licorice B is “candy.”

            e.                Other ingredients or flavorings. “Other ingredients or flavorings” as used in this rule means other ingredients or flavorings that are similar to chocolate, fruits or nuts. This phrase includes candy coatings such as carob, vanilla and yogurt; flavorings or extracts such as vanilla, maple, mint, and almond; and seeds and other items similar to the classes of ingredients or flavorings. This phrase does not include meats, spices, seasonings such as barbeque or cheddar flavor, or herbs which are not similar to the classes of ingredients or flavorings associated with chocolate, fruits, or nuts, unless the product otherwise meets the definition of “candy.”

Example 1: Retailer A sells barbeque-flavored peanuts. The ingredient label for the barbeque- flavored peanuts indicates that the product contains peanuts, sugar and various other ingredients, including barbeque flavoring. Since the barbeque-flavored peanuts contain a combination of sweeteners and nuts, and flour is not listed on the label and the nuts do not require refrigeration, barbeque-flavored peanuts are “candy.”

Example 2: Retailer B sells barbeque potato chips. Potato chips are potatoes, a vegetable, and are not commonly thought of as candy. The barbeque potato chips are “food and food ingredients” and not “candy.” The fact that the ingredient label for the barbeque potato chips indicates that the product contains barbeque seasoning which contains a sweetener does not change the fact that the barbeque potato chips are not commonly thought of as candy.

            f.                 Sweeteners. The term “natural or artificial sweeteners” as used in this rule means an ingredient of a food product that adds a sugary sweetness to the taste of the food product and includes, but is not limited to, corn syrup, dextrose, invert sugar, sucrose, fructose, sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, stevia, fruit juice concentrates, molasses, evaporated cane juice, rice syrup, barley malt, honey, maltitol, agave, and artificial sweeteners.

            g.                Refrigeration. A product that otherwise meets the definition of “candy” is not “candy” if it requires refrigeration. A product “requires refrigeration” if it must be refrigerated at the time of sale or after being opened. In order for a product to be treated as requiring refrigeration, the product label must indicate that refrigeration is required. If the label on a product that contains multiple servings indicates that it “requires refrigeration,” smaller size packages of the same product are also considered to “require refrigeration.” A product that otherwise meets the definition of “candy” is “candy” if the product is not required to be refrigerated, but is sold refrigerated for the convenience or preference of the customer, retailer, or manufacturer.

Example 1: Company A sells sweetened fruit snacks in a bag that contains multiple servings. The label on the bag indicates that after opening, the sweetened fruit snacks must be refrigerated. The sweetened fruit snacks “require refrigeration.”

Example 2: Company A sells sweetened fruit snacks in single-serving containers. Other than for packaging, the sweetened fruit snacks are identical to the sweetened fruit snacks in Example 1 above. However, since this container of sweetened fruit snacks only contains one serving, it is presumed that it will be used immediately, and the label does not indicate that after opening, the product must be refrigerated. Even though the label does not contain the statement that after opening the sweetened fruit snacks must be refrigerated, these sweetened fruit snacks are considered to “require refrigeration.”

Example 3: Company A sells chocolate truffles. The label on the truffles indicates to keep the product cool and dry, but does not indicate that the product must be refrigerated. Since the chocolate truffles are not required to be refrigerated, even though the label indicates to keep them cool, the chocolate truffles do not “require refrigeration.”

         231.4(2) Nonexclusive examples.

            a.                Taxable candy. Examples of items taxable as candy include, but are not limited to: preparations of fruits, nuts, or other ingredients in combination with sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in the form of bars, drops, or pieces; caramel-coated or other candy-coated apples or other fruit; candy-coated popcorn; hard or soft candies including jellybeans, taffy, licorice not containing flour, marshmallows, and mints; dried fruit leathers or other similar products prepared with natural or artificial sweeteners; candy breath mints; chewing gum; and mixes of candy pieces.

Sales of items which are normally sold for use as ingredients in recipes but which can be eaten as candy are taxable on and after July 1, 2004. Examples of these items include, but are not limited to: sweetened baking chocolate in bars or pieces; white and dark chocolate almond bark; toffee bits; M&M’s, including those sold for baking; candy primarily intended for decorating baked goods; and sweetened baking chips, including mint chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, and chocolate chips.

            b.                Nontaxable items. Sales of the following are generally not taxable as candy: jams, jellies, preserves, or syrups; frostings; dried fruits without added sweetener; breakfast cereals; prepared fruit in a sugar or similar base; ice cream or other frozen desserts covered with chocolate or similar coverings; cotton candy; cakes, cookies, and similar products covered with chocolate or other similar coating; and granola bars. However, these and similar items are taxable if sold as prepared food under rule 701—231.5(423).

         231.4(3) Bundled transaction including candy. “Bundled transaction” is defined as the retail sale of two or more products, except real property and services to real property, where (1) the products are otherwise distinct and identifiable and (2) the products are sold for one non-itemized price.

            a.                Candy and food. Products that are a combination of items that are defined as “candy” under this rule and items that are defined as “food and food ingredients” under rule 701—231.3(423) are “bundled transactions” when the items are distinct and identifiable and are sold for one non-itemized price. For example, a bag of multiple types of individually wrapped bars that is sold for one price is two or more distinct and identifiable products sold for one non-itemized price. For purposes of determining whether such a bag of individually wrapped bars is a “bundled transaction,” the following criteria apply:

             (1)             Ingredients listed separately.

            1.      If a package contains individually wrapped bars, drops, or pieces and the product label on the package separately lists the ingredients for each type of bar, drop, or piece included in the package, those bars, drops, or pieces that have “flour” listed as an ingredient are “food and food ingredients” and those bars, drops, or pieces which do not have “flour” listed as an ingredient are “candy.” The determination of whether the package as a whole meets the definition of “bundled transaction” is based on the percentage of bars, drops, or pieces that meet the definition of “food and food ingredient” as compared to the percentage of bars, drops, or pieces that meet the definition of “candy.”

            2.      Determining the percentage. For purposes of determining the percentage of the sales price or purchase price of the bars, drops, or pieces that meet the definition of “candy” as compared to all of the bars, drops, or pieces contained in the package, the retailer may presume that each bar, drop, or piece contained in the package has the same value.

            3.      Presumption of product amount. A retailer may presume that there is an equal number of each type of product contained in the package, unless the package clearly indicates otherwise.

Example 1: Retailer A sells a package that contains 100 total pieces of food and food ingredients. There are ten different types of foods and food ingredients in the package. Eight of the types of food and food ingredients included in the package meet the definition of “candy,” while two of the types included do not meet the definition of “candy.” It is a reasonable presumption that 20 (2/10 times 100) of the pieces are not “candy” and 80 (8/10 times 100) of the pieces are “candy.” Therefore, since 80 percent of the product is “candy,” the retailer shall treat the entire package as a bundled transaction containing primarily “candy.” Sales tax is due on the sales price of the entire package. See Iowa Code section 423.2(8).

Example 2: Retailer B sells bulk food and food ingredients by the pound. Each food and food ingredient is in a separate bin or container. Some of the food and food ingredients are “candy” and some of them are not because they contain flour. However, regardless of the items chosen, the retailer charges the customer $3.49/lb. Customer C selects some items that are “candy” and some that are not and puts them in a bag. Since some of the items in the bag are “candy,” the retailer shall treat the entire package as a bundled transaction containing primarily “candy,” unless the retailer ascertains that 50 percent or less of the items in the bag are “candy.” Even if the retailer ascertains that 50 percent or less of the items in the bag are “candy,” sales tax is due on the sales price of the entire package. See Iowa Code section 423.2(8).

             (2)             Ingredients listed together. If a package contains individually wrapped bars, drops, or pieces and all of the ingredients for each of the products included in the package are listed together, as opposed to being listed separately by each product included as explained in subparagraph (1) above, and even if the ingredient lists “flour” as an ingredient, the product will be treated as “candy,” unless the retailer is able to ascertain that 50 percent or less of the products are “candy.” Even if the retailer ascertains that 50 percent or less of the items in the bag are “candy,” sales tax is due on the sales price of the entire package. See Iowa Code section 423.2(8).

The retailer may presume that each bar, drop, or piece contained in the package has the same value. The retailer may presume that there is an equal number of each type of product contained in the package, unless the package clearly indicates otherwise.

            b.                Combination of ingredients. Products whose ingredients are a combination of various unwrapped food ingredients that alone are not “candy,” along with unwrapped food ingredients that alone are “candy,” such as breakfast cereal and trail mix with candy pieces, are considered “food and food ingredients,” but not “candy.” Sales of these products are not “bundled transactions” because there are not two or more distinct and identifiable products being sold. The combination of the ingredients results in a single product.

This rule is intended to implement 2011 Iowa Code subsection 423.3(57).

[ARC 0281C, IAB 8/22/12, effective 9/26/12; ARC 1664C, IAB 10/15/14, effective 11/19/14]