How to Halloween with food allergies

Food allergies in children are on the rise

Today, a post in honor of my two nephews bedeviled by peanut allergy. One of their mothers wrote a short personal story to plea for parents (or any candy-givers) to educate themselves on the importance of inclusivity. It’s not too late to prepare.

But first, a little background.

Food allergies in infants and young children are on the rise. There is no known specific cause, but there are theories. One, of course, may lie in genetics. Another may be of our own doing: in previous decades, parents were advised to delay their children’s exposure to the most common allergens like peanuts, eggs, tree nuts, sesame, dairy, etc until they were older. In 2017 the American Academy of Pediatrics made an abrupt reversal in this advice, suggesting instead, that infants should be gradually introduced to these potential allergens as early as 6-months.

The most common and dangerous allergy for children is peanut, yet it’s in SO many packaged foods. According to FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education),

Peanuts can cause a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)…

Casual skin contact is less likely to trigger a severe reaction, and can become a problem if the affected area then touches the eyes, nose or mouth. For example, if a child with peanut allergy gets peanut butter on her fingers and rubs her eyes, she can have an allergic reaction.

A surprising amount of food products are made with peanuts or processed on the same machines/factories. For those whose allergies are the most severe, even cross-contamination can cause anaphylaxis. So all of those Milky Ways, Twix, M&Ms, etc. are likely contaminated. Just because they don’t contain peanuts doesn’t mean that a child with a peanut allergy can safely eat them, since most mainstream chocolate candies are made in the same facilities as their peanut brethren, Reese’s, Peanut M&M, Snickers…

But there's still ways to include children on Halloween with food allergies. For one, you can buy non-food items or candy you have verified is peanut free and put it in a separate bowl. (Don’t be like my dentist uncle who gave away toothbrushes on Halloween). Second, better yet, you can participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project.

The Teal Pumpkin Project is a simple way to make trick-or-treating safer and more inclusive for the one in 13 children living with food allergies, and many others impacted by intolerances and other conditions. Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep signals that, in addition to candy, you offer non-food trinkets and treats that are safe for all trick or treaters. Help us make this Halloween one to remember!

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Help kids with food allergies this Halloween by participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project

By Liz Ruttkamp

Just before he turned one, my husband and I discovered our son has a life threatening allergy to peanuts. A thousand worries ran through my head. How will I keep my son safe in various environments? What challenges will we face to keep a peanut-free life? How will we avoid forgetting the Epipen when we go ANYWHERE every single time?

When I was pregnant, the last thing on my mind were food allergies. But now, researching allergen warnings on all our favorite food brands and verifying certain restaurants have peanut-free kitchens has become my expertise.

Upon learning of his allergy, I almost immediately worried about Halloween. It seems like most chocolate candy (and my personal favorites) are made in factories most likely contaminated with peanuts.

There are mainstream peanut free candies, particularly the sugar kinds, like Sour Patch Kids, but my son won’t be able to eat candy while trick-or-treating in case there’s any doubt. (And don’t forget that Epipen!) He will have to wait until he gets home to see what’s safe for him to eat and I worry this will make him feel different or left out.

There may be houses offering only peanut-tainted candy. Does he accept to be polite? Or, once he’s old enough, does he politely decline and explain his allergy? I hope he does. I hope he’s confident to stand up for his safety while still enjoying Halloween with his friends.

In my constant Googling, I came across FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) and the Teal Pumpkin Project. They suggest you put out a teal pumpkin which lets children with food allergies or other dietary restrictions, say juvenile diabetes, know that you are offering non-food items. In a bowl separate from the candy you can offer stickers, fun pencils, bubbles, any item that you think is fun!

To make it easy to participate, CVS is a partner of the Teal Pumpkin Project and has everything you need.

If you participate (and I hope you do!), add your house to the Teal Pumpkin Project map. This simplifies finding safe homes for Littles with allergies to visit and feel included on this fun day.