Halloween Tips and Treats for Allergy-free Fun!

Halloween can be a tricky time for parents who wonder about what treats to give and get that are safe for kids who have food allergies.

The Spooky Situation:

Approximately 8% (and growing) of children in the U.S. suffer from food allergies – that averages to about two children in every classroom. For children who are severely allergic, a single bite of the wrong treat could cause a life-threatening reaction. Yet, more than half of this year’s top treats contain food allergens. For instance, most people don’t realize that “fun-size” candy may contain different ingredients than regular size packages.

Here are this year’s recommended tips and treats to navigate an allergy-free Halloween:

The Scariest Ingredients:

The most common ingredients in treats that trigger allergies in children include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat and sesame. One or more of the ingredients are found in the majority of candy treats. While these are beloved treats, these top candies have ingredients that can trigger allergies:

• Reese’s Cups: 4 of the top 14 allergens
• M&Ms (plain and peanut) : 4 of the top allergens
• Hershey’s Milk chocolate
• KIT KAT® bars

Plenty of Safe Treats:

The following candies are considered safe for children with the top 9 food allergies. Always read the label to be sure.

• Hot Tamales
• Skittles
• Sour Patch Kids
• Starbursts
• Swedish Fish
• Mike and Ike
• Dum Dums
• Ring Pops
• YumEarth is an example of a brand that produces chocolates and candies that are free of the most common (top nine) food allergens.
• While candy corn and Smarties and many other choices do not include ingredients that are common food allergens, check the labels to make sure they are not produced in a plant where cross-contamination can occur.
• Choose non-food treats such as pencils, erasers, notepads, crayons, Halloween stampers, slinky® toys, bouncy balls, toys and more.

Top tips for food-allergic individuals:

• Check the labels:
  • “Fun size” candy may contain different ingredients than regular size packages.
  • Confirm that the candy isn’t produced where other candies that contain allergens are produced.
• Look for a teal-colored pumpkin that is designated as a symbol for non-food treats.
• Don’t let your food-allergic child trick-or-treat alone.
• Carry auto-injectable epinephrine if your child has serious food allergies.
• Make sure adults or friends with your child understand their food allergies and what to do in an emergency.
• Teach your child how to politely decline food that may not be safe, especially homemade items such as cookies and cupcakes.

When kids get home:

• Sort into a “keep pile” and a “trade pile.”
• Plan additional non-food Halloween activities such as carving pumpkins or crafts.
• Make a game of exchanging a child’s treat bag overnight with a prize in the morning!

With so many fun candies and non-food treats available, it’s easier than ever to protect children with food allergies and create a fun, safe, and memorable season of spooky fun!