Halloween tips for those with allergies
Be allergy-aware this Halloween with these helpful tips from Enjoy Life (www.enjoylifefoods.com).
1. Be proactive. If you know of children with food allergies, ask the parents what types of candies are safe. They will be thrilled to know you care.
2. Keep a stash of “safe candy” or fun trinkets (i.e. bubbles, silly putty, tattoos, stickers, spider rings, bracelets). Up to six percent of children have food allergies, so you’re sure to have several grateful goblins at your door.
3. Be discreet. If you know the child has food allergies, don’t ask “Oh, you’re the one with the peanut allergy, right?” These kids just want to fit in with everyone else.
4. Everyone loves ingredient labels. Give out candy with clear ingredient labels so parents and children can decide which candies are safe.
5. Don’t drop candy into his bag. Let the child select a piece of candy. He may know which candies are safe and which aren’t.
6. Listen to the child. If she says, “No thank you” it may be because there are no safe options. No need to make a fuss, but don’t try to get her to take a candy that may not be safe for her.
7. Parents know best. Don’t assume that peanut allergy is the only allergy. There are many types of food allergies so it’s important to let parents decide what type of candy is safe for their child.
8. Think of your guests. If you’re entertaining around Halloween, be careful with candy dishes and your children’s stashes of candy. Young children with food allergies may be easily tempted by “unsafe” candy if left unattended.
