Safe Treats, No Tricks, for Allergy-Free Halloween Fun
Halloween can be an extremely challenging holiday for 3 million youths with
food allergies who must carefully manage what they eat.
Candies and treats that fill the sacks of trick-or-treaters are potentially
life threatening for children who are allergic to common ingredients such as
peanuts, tree nuts or milk, according to The
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN).
"With all the excitement that surrounds Halloween night, it is critical for
children and families with food allergies to be extra diligent about reading
ingredient labels for each piece of candy," said Anne Munoz-Furlong, the founder
and CEO of FAAN, the world's largest nonprofit organization providing information
and educational resources on food allergies. "Common allergens can appear in
the candies that you least expect."
One popular brand of licorice candy, for example, contains wheat, another common
allergic food item, along with peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts and pecans, for example),
milk, eggs, fish, shellfish and soy. The ingredients statement on a chocolate-covered
raisin candy may list peanuts.
Some candies carry a "May contain traces of peanuts" on their packaging. "If
it's a candy or treat without an ingredient label, do not eat it," Munoz-Furlong
warned. "Never assume that a 'mini' version of a candy, which may not have an
ingredient label, contains the same ingredients as its full- sized counterpart.
Some do not."
To ensure a safe and fun Halloween, FAAN encourages families of children with
food allergies to:
- Create a "candy swap" so that allergen-containing candies can be traded
for other treats such as stickers or toys.
- Take the focus off of trick-or-treating by hosting a costume party that
emphasizes fun instead of candy. Halloween stickers, pencils, spider rings
and stamps are great alternatives for goody bags.
- Provide neighbors with allergy-safe candies for your child or ask neighbors
to hand out only candy with individualized labels -- so kids with allergies
can determine whether the treat is safe to eat or not.
- Teach children to politely refuse offers of cookies and other homemade treats.
- Remember that candy ingredients can vary for different sizes of the same
product such as full-size candy bars and their miniature versions, which are
not always individually labeled.
Children with food allergies (or children who want to help collect funds for
research and education) can take part in FAAN's first annual Trick-or-Treat
for Food Allergy program. Participating children will be asked to collect coins
instead of candy in clearly marked, bright orange Trick-or-Treat for Food Allergy
coin boxes. All the coins collected will go to food allergy education and research.
Classrooms are also encouraged to participate. Incentives, including Trick-or-Treat
for Food Allergy T-shirts and gift certificates, will go to children who raise
$25 or more.
For more information about the program, contact Patti Berchoff, 800-929-4040,
pberchoff@foodallergymail.org.
A Halloween Party Snack Alternative
Hosting a Halloween event is a great way to ensure that children with food
allergies avoid life-threatening food ingredients. For a special treat for your
trick-or-treat party try this recipe for Halloween party popcorn balls, free
of milk, egg, wheat, peanut, soy and tree nuts. Be sure to read all labels on
ingredients before starting.
Halloween Party Popcorn Balls
3 cups miniature marshmallows (read all labels)
6 tablespoons milk-free, soy-free margarine
3 tablespoons plain gelatin
red food coloring yellow food coloring
12 cups of popped popcorn, plain
In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt marshmallows and margarine,
stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat. Stir in gelatin, 4 drops of red food coloring and four drops
of yellow food coloring.
In a large bowl, combine marshmallow mixture and popcorn. Stir to coat popcorn
evenly.
Using oiled hands, shape into balls.
Suggestion: Wrap popcorn balls in plastic wrap or wax paper and tie
with a Halloween-theme bow.
For more recipes or to purchase cookbooks, visit the FAAN web site: http://www.foodallergy.org/
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