Halloween can be a particularly difficult time for kids with food allergies since many common candies contain one or more common allergens. The consequences can be dangerous and traumatic for kids who accidentally consume something they’re allergic to.
Dr. Arveen Bhasin, a Mayo Clinic allergy specialist, says the nine most common food allergens include eggs, milk, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish and sesame.
And knowing which candies can have potential allergens can be tough.
Full-size candy bars may be manufactured in different plants than fun-size bars, contributing to the different ingredients says Dr. Bhasin.
But since 2014, the Teal Pumpkin Project has made it easier for parents to identify houses that have safe alternatives for trick-or-treaters with food allergies. If there’s a teal pumpkin outside the door, kids might find stickers, pencils or glow sticks as treats instead of candy.
So this Halloween, let the spiders and cemeteries do the scaring – not the sweets.
