Every October, children of all ages look forward to celebrating Halloween by trick-or-treating, but for children with food allergies and their parents, Halloween treats can be frightful. Candy and other treats often have common food allergens as an ingredient or have a risk of cross-contamination during production.
For parents with children who have food allergies, here are some tips on how to keep your kids safe while celebrating the spirit of Halloween:
- Refrain from eating any treats until the end of the night after all food labels have been reviewed.
- Avoid any treats that do not have an ingredient label, such as homemade treats.
- Keep your child’s epinephrine auto-injector close by.
- Check out the Teal Pumpkin Project. The Teal Pumpkin Project aims to raise awareness and provide safe options for trick-or-treaters with food allergies. Participants put a teal pumpkin outside of their home or business to indicate they have safe treats available.
- Remind your child that trick-or-treating is just part of the Halloween fun. An alternative to trick-or-treating? Throw a Halloween party with allergen-friendly treats, games, and prizes.