Help Trick-or-Treaters with Food Allergies have a Safer Halloween
It’s a dream come true for most kids…lots and lots of free candy.
But parents of kids with allergies will tell you trick-or-treating can be a nightmare.
“It’s actually a very dangerous day for kids across this country,” said Laura Hass.
Hass has a child who is allergic to peanuts and soy– things most candy has in it.
“For food allergy families, your days are really filled with worries and concerns and trying to anticipate everything that is out there,” said Hass.
Montgomery allergist Dr. Allen Meadows says he is seeing more food allergy patients than ever before. For some, it’s a very serious condition.
“People with true food allergies eat even the smallest morsel of something they are allergic to, they could have a potentially life threatening reaction to it,” said Meadows.
That’s why the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) organization suggests fun alternatives for food allergy trick-or-treaters, such as small toys.
Either way, Meadows says he is all for allowing his patients to take part in normal activities as much as possible.
“I tell my patients, we can let the kids go out and trick or treat, but don’t let them eat anything out of the bag until we get home when the parents can look at it. Look at the labels and make sure we are certain it is free of whatever the child is allergic to, whether it’s peanuts or eggs,” said Meadows.
The good news is candy manufacturers are starting to put labels on their packaging telling you whether or not the candy was produced in a factory with peanuts. And making halloween a safer and more fun for ALL to enjoy.
“One day a year for two hours where my kids can enjoy being kids, that would be a dream,” said Hass.
FARE is encouraging you to offer non-candy items for food allergy trick or treaters and paint your pumpkin teal so they know it’s a safe house.
For more information on the Teal Pumpkin Project, click here.
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