Do you know that roughly one in 13 kids in the US has a food allergy? [1] And that some of the most popular Halloween candy contains some of the most common food allergens (eggs, cow’s milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and wheat)? For some kids, even a tiny bit of the allergen has the potential to cause a severe reaction. All of which can make Halloween, well, tricky and scary in all the wrong ways. Here are a few simple moves to help ensure that kids with food allergies and intolerances can enjoy a safe and fun Halloween:
Don’t worry, there are LOTS of candies to choose from. My family goes straight for Swedish Fish, Starbursts, or Sour Patch Kids, but you can find your own favorites on this Allergy-Friendly Halloween Candy Guide.
And, ok, I’m going to go out on a limb here… why limit yourself to candy? Fresh, sweet, juicy clementines are newly in season in late October and they are surprisingly popular with young trick-or-treaters (I swear!).
Guess what: you don’t have to hand out food at all! Stickers, temporary tattoos, stencils, vampire fangs, bubbles are all fun alternatives. There are loads more ideas to choose from on this list. Just be sure to reduce the risk of cross-contamination by placing non-food items in a separate bowl.
The Teal Pumpkin Project began in 2014 to raise awareness about food allergies and to make Halloween more inclusive – and fun! – for kids with allergies. To participate, just place a teal pumpkin on your porch to signal to trick-or-treaters that you’ve got non-food options to share. No porch? No problem! You can download a flyer or make your own sign and display it on your door or window.
[1] https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/facts-and-statistics
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