Allergy-Friendly Halloween

At Guiding Stars, we pride ourselves in helping you find nutrient-dense foods. We’re also about balance, and understand that Halloween is a holiday that everyone should be able to enjoy. Like any occasion that’s centered around food, Halloween can be particularly tricky for children living with food allergies. We’ve gathered ideas and tips to make it less frightful for these families.

Teal Pumpkin Project

If you’re a parent of a child living with food allergies, you know that a night of spooky fun typically ends with separating out the candy that can be safely eaten from the many pieces that can’t. Enter the Teal Pumpkin Project. Developed by the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) nonprofit organization, the Teal Pumpkin Project seeks to make the holiday easier and more inclusive for individuals living with food allergies. When young trick-or-treaters spot the teal pumpkin on a doorstep, they know that allergy-friendly treats await. Not only is this helpful and reassuring, it also means that a child’s trick-or-treat bag will be full of safe candy.

Food-free treats

If we want to keep Halloween allergy-friendly, then treating kids to an assortment of non-food treats is ideal. From glow sticks to fun items for a classroom party, there are endless ideas to delight children and parents alike (after all, maybe a little less candy is ok). For smaller gatherings, consider gifting coupons or certificates to a local indoor bounce venue or something similar, which extends the fun to another day.

Allergy-friendly candy

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to finding allergy-friendly candy. We never want to assume that candy is still safe because it was safe previously. We always need to read the ingredients list, the “may contain” statement, and other information provided on packaging. It’s important to know that, for holidays, candy companies sometimes shift manufacturing to different locations or modify production ways that may increase the risk of contamination. Additionally, some Halloween-themed candy (shaped as a pumpkin, for example) may contain allergens that the traditional shapes do not. Locating allergen information from candy companies can be tricky. Celiac.org compiles an annual gluten-free candy list, while Hershey and Tootsie offer information on their websites. Finally, be cautious with candy corn. The candy itself may be free from several allergens, but the processing of it can result in cross-contamination. When in doubt, there are brands like YumEarth and Enjoy Life that specialize in providing allergy-friendly candy.

Food fun

There are many allergy- and kid-friendly recipes that can create an inclusive Halloween party. Even the simplest guacamole can become “goop or slime” on a themed menu. Adding something creepy can elevate a simple snack. We have many spooky good recipes that can be modified to appeal to different tastes and allergy needs. With a bit of thought and care, a safe and fun Halloween can be enjoyed by all of our young witches and ghosts.