
Ghouls and goblins aren't the only things frightening children this Halloween.
Typical Halloween candy is filled with some of the most common food allergens-peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, soy and dairy.
With food allergies on the rise over the past decade, Trick-or-Treating has become a health risk. Enter the Teal Pumpkin Project.
Teal Pumpkin Project
Sponsored by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), the Teal Pumpkin Project is an easy way to let children with allergies safely participate in Trick-or-Treat.
In addition to (or instead of) offering candy, the Teal Pumpkin Project encourages the giving of non-food items like toys, stickers, bubbles, spider rings or crayons.
Simply paint a pumpkin teal-the official color of food allergy awareness-and place it where you'll be giving out treats. This way, children with food allergies will know you're offering non-food treats, and can safely participate.
Halloween Isn't Just Candy
Navigating holiday environments is nothing new for parents of food-allergy sufferers, children on restricted diets or even those looking to limit their intake of sugar.
100 Days of Real Food compiled a list of non-sugary items to give out on Halloween, while the Sweatman Family proposed giving packaged mandarin oranges with Jack-o-lantern faces.
For parents looking to avoid processed candy, Five Little Homesteaders' published a homemade candy corn recipe.
Peanut Allergy Mom compiled a list of peanut-free candy, and described her experiences Trick-or-Treating with her peanut-free son.
Are you participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project this year or navigating Halloween treats while avoiding allergies? Share your thoughts below!
Read More:
- Teal pumpkins try to change Halloween for kids with food allergies (CNN)
- This Halloween, Teal Is the New Orange (Huffington Post)