Peeps just got even scarier

Okay, you shouldn't be eating it anyways: animal-shaped marshmallow in unnatural shades of yellow, blue and hot pink. Now, there might be another reason for some people to avoid PEEPs: they're made in China.

Happy Halloween!

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The maker of Peeps -- the fluffy, yellow, marshmallow chicks that have spawned a fanatical following -- has tapped an overseas manufacturer to make candies for the first time in the company's history.

Just Born Inc. is making its Spooky Friends treats for Halloween in China.

That could be a scary thought for American consumers concerned about products made in China, which has been hit by a series of recalls of substandard goods and lead-tainted toys. An August poll by The Associated Press found that most Americans believe the U.S. government is not doing enough to ensure that Chinese imports are safe.

Bethlehem-based Just Born said it was making the foray into outsourcing for the first time in its 84-year history because its plant in Bethlehem cannot individually wrap the Spooky Friends candies. The company found a factory in China that can do the job and meets their quality standards.

Privately-owned Just Born said it wanted to make sure there's demand for the product before investing in equipment to make the treats in the United States.

'It's expensive and we wanted to make sure we have a viable product before we'll source it here,' said Kathy Bassininski, vice president of brand development and corporate services.

Just Born has sold out this Halloween's entire inventory of Spooky Friends to retailers. The company will find out later whether shoppers went for the marshmallow candies, which come shaped like pumpkins, bats, ghosts, and spiders.

Just Born made the decision to test outsourcing last year, before the Chinese products scandals hit.

The candy maker said its popular Peeps and most of its other confectionery will continue to be manufactured in Pennsylvania.

National Confectioners Association spokeswoman Susan Fussell said it's not uncommon for candy makers to manufacture abroad, often in Canada and Mexico.