19 October 2008
Halloween safety for food-allergic children
Keep your Kids safe from those pesky allergies
Halloween holds special dangers for children with severe food allergies or sensitivities to food dyes and other additives.
The small candy bars passed out at this time of year may have different ingredients than their regular-size counterparts. So even if a certain candy is safe, the “fun size” version might not be.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology warns parents of food-allergic children to check ingredients on packages or company Web sites to ensure there is no risk of a reaction.
If in doubt, do not let the food-sensitive child eat the candy.
The academy offers these tips to help families of food-allergic children be safe at Halloween:
Distribute safe snacks to neighbors and request that they be handed out to your child.
Work with your child’s teacher to plan a school party with safe foods and treats such as stickers or novelty erasers. Or pack treats from home that other students can give to your child.
Instead of trick-or-treating, host a party that focuses on costumes, games and other Halloween fun.
Teach your child to politely refuse home-baked goodies such as cookies or cupcakes.
Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
