For about one in 13 children under the age of 18 in the U.S. with food allergies, Halloween is more of a trick than a treat. Ingredients found in many types of candy—including peanuts and tree nuts—are among the most common food allergens. For some children, exposure to even a trace amount of these substances can produce a serious reaction. Imagine the risks of going door to door trick-or-treating…
Enter the Teal Pumpkin Project, an awareness program for food allergies started in 2014. Participants, who place a teal-colored pumpkin on their front steps or a teal pumpkin poster on their door, offer non-food treats—providing an opportunity for children with food allergies to trick-or-treat safely on Halloween. To avoid the possibility of cross-contamination, non-food items should be kept separate and should not have contact with treats that may contain allergens.
In addition to non-food treats, some popular candies, including Skittles, Starburst, Life Savers, Sour Patch Kids, and Swedish Fish, are also allergen-free. As you’re getting ready for little ghosts, goblins, and witches, think teal and offer an option for ghouls with food allergies.
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