Child Food Allergies Have A Safe Halloween With Teal Pumpkin Project And Allergy
Trick-or-treating is supposed to be fun. Kids dress up, run around, knock on doors, and feast on a sweet candy bounty. But for 15 million Americansincluding;one in 13 kidsHalloween is a dangerous and disappointing;event. To give every child with allergies and conditions the ability to enjoy Halloween, FAREs Teal Pumpkin Project® was founded. Today, this movement;promotes safe trick-or-treating alternatives for kids with food allergies, so;the only scary part about Halloween is;the costumes.
How To Get Involved
Anyone from any country can participate in Teal Pumpkin Project when you do one or all;of the following.
- Put;a teal pumpkin outside your home on Halloween night to show its open to children with all dietary needs
- Stock up on non-edible trinkets to give out to trick-or-treaters like slap bracelets, Koosh balls, and other toys
- Spread;awareness;on social media by using;#tealpumpkinproject on all your food safety posts
What Teal Pumpkin Project Is All About
Teal Pumpkin Project was inspired by a group in Tennessee, and;launched as a national campaign;by Food Allergy Research & Education in 2014. In 2015, it was incorporated by people in;all 50 states and 14 countries. Now, Teal Pumpkin Project is a bonafide worldwide food safety initiative that helps raise awareness about child food allergies and make Halloween a positive experience for everyone.
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Allergy Free Halloween Candy
Its only a few days away the big candy day of Halloween. Many schools will be having Halloween parties and festivals this weekend in addition to trick or treating. Candy will be everywhere. Most of us know what is safe for our allergy kids, but you never know when something new to us will pop up. In a post from a week or so ago, I mentioned a friend calling about Swedish Fish. She is a seasoned allergy mom but was unsure about this candy, so she did just the right thing she called the number on the back of the candy to make sure it was safe. So if you are not sure call or refrain from giving it to your child.
Here is just a partial list of some safe candies without the big allergens . You may want to go to her site and print out the list for Halloween as you sort through candy. Also, buy a bag or two of your childs favorite from the list to have ready to swap out after trick or treating. Here are some good safe ones:
Airheads Whistle pops and Airheads Pops contain none of the top 8 allergens, the other Airheads products do contains soybean oil and wheat; products, but no peanuts, nuts, eggs, or milk in any.
Sour Patch Kids free of the top 8 allergens
Swedish Fish free of the top 8 allergens
Sour Patch Xploderz contains none of the top 8 but package states Manufactured in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy and wheat.
Smarties contains none of the top 8 allergens
Jolly Ranchers contains none of the top 8
Free2b Foods Sun Cups & Mint Cups
Halloween can be tough for kids with food allergies. That’s where free2b comes in. Their line of sun cups and mint cups are top 12 allergen-free, and free from artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, preservatives, hydrogenated oils, palm oil and carrageenan, as well. The entire line is Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten-Free, Certified Vegan, Kosher Pareve and Fair Trade Certified.;
Our kid tasters particularly loved the consistency of the filling in both the sunflower and mint options.;Buy them in two packs or in Halloween-themed single packs for trick-or-treaters. You can purchase them online or at a store near you.;
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The Best Halloween Treats For Kids With Allergies
- 2020/08/23
When youve got a kid with allergies, Halloween is a unique challenge of its own. Navigating through piles of candy that your kiddo may or may not be allergic to is not the easiest task, which is why weve put together a list of candies and treats that skip some of the most common allergens, like tree nuts, gluten, soy and dairy. We hope it comes in handy both when buying candy and going through your little ones haul, but remember: always check the ingredients list and manufacturing practices before letting your littles dive in!
Hershey Milk Chocolate: Fun Size
;Free From:;Peanut, Tree Nut*, Egg, Wheat/Gluten;Contains:;Milk and Soy Precautionary Label:;*Manufactured on the same equipment that processes almonds.Facility free from:;None statedAllergen Statements:;As a company, we have strict procedures in place to prevent crossover of allergens into other products that do not contain the allergen…;see full allergen statement in app
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Safe + Fair Cookies And Grahams
Allergy-friendly food company SAFE + FAIR has an awesome line of kid-approved treats, including Abbys Cookies and Remys Grahams. The treats are nut-free , non-GMO and made with whole grains, so youll feel good about handing them out to the little ghouls at your doorstep. SAFE + FAIR even donates 3% of proceeds to the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University.
Online:safeandfair.com
Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Minis
Precautionary Label:;*May contain milk and eggFacility free from:;Peanut, Tree Nut, Wheat/GlutenAllergen Statement:;At this time, all of our confections are completely peanut, tree nut and nut product free. We have no peanut or tree nut products in any of our… see full allergen statement in app
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Food Allergy Safe Candies For Halloween
Halloween is coming fast. The festive holiday can pose a great risk for kids with food allergies. Luckily, there is the Teal Pumpkin Project, which helps with making Halloween easier. With new candy being produced all the time, its hard to know exactly what candy is safe for your child.;
The list we have collected are mostly Big 8 allergen free. Please always be sure to double check ingredients before purchasing! Ingredients on products can be changed at any time.;
The Ultimate List Of Allergy Friendly Candy
While Halloween is an exciting holiday, it can also bring about the added stress of needing to check candy ingredients for parents of children with food allergies.;
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There are initiatives such as the Teal Pumpkin Project that have increased awareness of food allergies and promote inclusion of all trick-or-treaters. However, not all people giving out candy on October 31st are prepared with a teal painted pumpkin or other resources on hand, so parents still need to be diligent about investigating candy ingredients. Many candies contain several of the top eight allergens, which are:
- Wheat
- Shellfish
Don’t have time to read now? Pin it for later:
There are a number of brands which are dedicated to creating allergy-free candy options, many of which are also safe for vegan or gluten-free diets:
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Surf Sweets Organic Halloween Fruity Bears
;Free From:;Top 8 Allergens + Sesame Contains:;No Top 8 Allergens or Sesame;Precautionary Label: NoneFacility free from:;Top 8 Allergens + SesameAllergen Statement:;We believe in giving you better choices. All of our products are non-GMO and free from harmful additives. And we are committed to creating even more gluten-free, allergy-friendly and better-for-you options that dont sacrifice taste… see full allergen statement in app
What Is The Teal Pumpkin Project
“FARE asks participating households to offer a separate bowl of non-food trinkets and treasures as part of their Halloween festivities,” Kathleen Vickers, Communications Associate for FARE says. Glow sticks, bracelets, and necklaces come in handy when kids are trick-or-treating in the dark. Vampire fangs and spider rings are appreciated, and most kids will wear them right away.
“Regardless whether a food is listed in a guide as ‘safe,’ FARE recommends that all families managing food allergies read every label, every time, and call manufacturers with any questions they may have,” Vickers says. She adds, while U.S. law mandates labeling in plain English for the eight most common food allergen ingredients, there are other aspects of labeling that are confusing for consumers.
Kids want candy, and we want everyone to be safe. The below allergy-friendly information was gathered from Spokin.com, a resource FARE recommends to parents and caregivers of children with food allergies.
Disclosure: It’s important to realize, that while we have listed at least three safe candies for each of the most common allergens, children may have multiple allergies. That’s why it’s crucial to talk to your allergist and pediatrician first. Use Spokin’s Halloween Candy Guide as an adjunct to your medical professional’s advice.
Make a batch of Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins for a sweet Halloween morning surprise before school.
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Sour Patch Kids & Swedish Fish
Even though these classic treats are free of the top eight allergens and are produced and labeled in compliance with FDA Good Manufacturing Practices, kiddos with severe allergies still might want to skip ’em. But, if they get the green light from parents, we found a great combo bag that offers both Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish.
Online: target.com/p/sour-patch-kids-halloween-variety-pack
Dairy Free Halloween Candy Options
- Airheads
- Jet-Puffed Boo Mallows and Ghost Mallows
- Jolly Ranchers
- Justins Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- Lemonheads
- Sour Patch Kids
- Spree
- Twizzlers
- Warheads
Ill try my very best to keep this updated and add to the list of dairy free candy options as I find them. Tell me about you favorite dairy free Halloween candy options in the comments below, and if you find any options that arent already listed, I would love to hear about them. Happy Halloween!
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Dairy Free Halloween Candy
Halloween season is already upon us, and theres candy and pumpkins everywhere you look. While I normally look forward to this time of year because those available-too-early pumpkins bring with them the first signs of fall, I know there are plenty of you out there dreading the candy situation.
We are lucky enough to only deal with an allergic adult, but for many of you Halloween means yet another thing you child has to miss out on and another thing for you to worry about. But, Ive got you covered. There are plenty of options out there for kids with milk allergies.
What Are The Top Eight Allergens
The top eight allergens refers to the major allergens that most commonly affect people. According to the Food and Drug Administration, these top allergens include milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts , peanuts, wheat , and soybeans.
The FDA adds, While more than 160 foods can cause allergic reactions in people with food allergies, the law identifies the eight most common allergenic foods. These foods account for 90 percent of food allergic reactions and are the food sources from which many other ingredients are derived.
Food products free of the top eight allergens are therefore considered to be nut-free, soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free, and fish-and-shellfish-free.
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Guidelines For Buying Allergy
1. No Baked Goods!
First things firstno matter the allergen, I find that bakery goods are almost ALWAYS a no-no, no matter the allergy.
Baked goods almost always have butter , wheat and eggs since these are traditional baking staples.
Those three ingredients right there are considered part of the top-8.
The top 8 foods account for 90% of all food allergies, and are therefore SUPER common. Another reason to avoid them: even if the only classroom restriction is nuts/peanutsthese are often cross-contaminated in a shared facility, and are not considered safe by many allergy parents who avoid them for fear of a risk.
So, candy is your best bet!
I also have an elementary teacher as a friend, and she agrees that when parents bring candy its best for all because there are typically no sticky hands from frosting, no crumbs strewn all over the floor and theyre individually wrapped and easier to consume. So, its a win-win!
2. Avoid Chocolate
Secondlyjust avoid chocolate.
Almost all chocolate has a may contain statement for peanuts or tree nuts since so many chocolate companies also manufacture chocolate that has almonds or peanuts in them. Plus, almost all chocolate has dairy in itunless its a specialty brandwhich you wont find at most typical grocers.
3. Ask
So, while these candies will most likely workit never hurts to ask the teacher or directly to the allergy parent to make sure.
PHEW!
Creating A Safe Environment For Trick
For homes that are housing children with food allergies or celiac disease, or homes that want to offer trigger-free foods, consider painting your pumpkin teal this year! The Teal Pumpkin Project, started by Food Allergy Research and Education , aims to provide greater awareness of allergen-free or non food items for sensitive children on halloween. Low on paints? You can also purchase a teal pumpkin from a local department store or CVS.
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Vermont Nut Free Chocolates
Annually a top pick: the name says it all. Lovingly made in small batches in Vermont, mail-order customers keep coming back for these incredibly delicious chocolates, creamy fudge, and every other candy you can think of! How about jelly beans? Check! Gummy Bears, crunchy-chewy Pretzel Caramel Bark? You know it. Everything is made in a tree-nut free facility , and worry-free seasonal candies can be shipped anywhere in the U.S.
Online: vermontnutfree.com
Necco & Spangler Candy
To be confident that you are getting an allergen-free Spangler candy item, check the back of the item you are purchasing for the allergen statement. Spangler Candy bags manufactured and packaged in our facility will have all of the following identifiers:
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These Types Of Halloween Candy Can Also Contain Dairy
- Butterscotch Buttons Most are dairy-free, but the rogue brand contains a touch of butter.
- Caramels Unless they are specifically labeled as dairy-free or vegan.
- Chocolate Unless it is specifically labeled as dairy-free or vegan.
- Cream and Caramel Flavored Candies Real dairy is often used.
Some Hershey Brand Candies
While a few of the brands most popular candies contain nuts , the company says it has strict procedures in place to prevent the crossover of allergens. According to a statement on their site, in instances where theyre concerned about possible crossover of an allergen, they take the added precaution of including an allergy information statement on the label. For kids with nut allergies, its always a good idea to double-check the label before opening Hersheys candies. Heres a list of Hershey brand candies that should be safe to eat:
- Hersheys plain milk chocolate bar
- Whoppers
- Twizzlers
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One In 13 Children Have A Food Allergy Here’s How You Can Help Them Have A Safe Halloween
For parents, Halloween can be a very scary time. No, not because of the creepy masks and makeup, or the red Pennywise balloon accessory . We’re talking about food allergies.
The top eight food allergies, according to Mayo Clinic, are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts , fish , shellfish, , soy, and wheat. Luckily, parents can breathe a sigh of relief since we doubt your next-door neighbor is handing out cod. But they could be extending a basket of life-threatening treats to kids with food allergies.
We reached out to Food Allergy Research & Education and other experts to learn more about the popular Teal Pumpkin Project and safe candy options for kiddos with allergies.
Dont Forget To Read This
*Always check the ingredients before consumption. If potential cross contamination is a concern for; your needs, always contact the manufacturer to discuss their processes. Never rely on lists or product packaging exclusively when dealing with a severe food allergy. May contain warnings are unreliable and unregulated, so they should not be used to assess whether a product is safe. These lists are for informational purposes only and should not replace your own due diligence. Ingredients and processes are subject to change at any time, and without our knowledge. If you notice that a product is no longer dairy-free by ingredients or if there is an error, please kindly comment to let us know.
**We saw a made in a facility ,made on shared equipment , or may contain statement for milk on this product. This does not mean the product is unsafe or that the other dairy-free candy on this list is safe. As mentioned above, may contain warnings are voluntary, and are sometimes added for liability prevention. And packaging and processes can vary by region, even with the same candy. You might see a may contain warning, and we might not. If dealing with a severe food allergy of any kind, you must contact the manufacturer!!
***To help you read those candy labels, see our Dairy Ingredient List.
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Dairy Free Halloween Candy Tips
- Teach your child whats safe. If your child is participating in trick-or-treating and old enough to understand the difference, make sure you talk with them about what candy is safe to choose.
- Make a candy trade. Have some back up candy options at home. You probably already will, but have some dairy free Halloween candy to swap out in case your child brings home candy containing dairy.
- Make your own Halloween candy favorites like dairy free peanut butter cups or homemade Twix bars. You kid can still participate in trick-or-treating and other festivities, but theyll wont completely miss out on the chocolate. Or, try making some fun Halloween brownies together to celebrate the holiday.
- Find a teal pumpkin.;The teal pumpkin project is becoming more and more popular, and there is even a map made each year to help you find participating houses giving out non-food treats.
