Login / Register 
Contact / wholesale enquiries
Halloween is a time of fun costumes, spooky decorations, and of course, delicious treats. But for families dealing with food allergies, the holiday can be a bit scary in more ways than one. The good news is that with a little preparation, you can ensure that Halloween remains fun, festive, and safe for everyone. Whether you’re a parent, neighbour, or community organizer, here’s how you can make Halloween more inclusive and allergen-safe.
1. Understand Common Food Allergens
Many popular Halloween sweets and chocolate contain common allergens like peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, and wheat. In addition, some treats may have been manufactured in facilities that process these allergens, making cross-contamination a risk. Educating yourself on the ingredients that trigger allergic reactions is the first step to offering safer options.
2. Opt for Non-Food Treats
An easy way to avoid allergen concerns altogether is by offering non-food treats. Items like stickers, glow sticks, temporary tattoos, pencils, bubbles, and small toys are exciting alternatives that all kids can enjoy, regardless of their dietary restrictions. This approach also helps include children with other dietary restrictions beyond allergies, such as those who follow vegan or gluten-free diets.
3. Join the Teal Pumpkin Project
The Teal Pumpkin Project is a nationwide initiative encouraging households to offer non-food treats. By placing a teal pumpkin on your porch, you signal to trick-or-treaters that you have allergy-safe options available. You can also add your house to the Teal Pumpkin Project map so that families know where to find inclusive treats in their area.
5. Prepare Your Child for Trick-or-Treating
If your child has food allergies, plan ahead to ensure their safety while trick-or-treating. Here are a few strategies:
- Carry an Epinephrine Auto-Injector: If your child has severe allergies, always have an epinephrine auto-injector on hand, just in case.
- Sort Through Candy Together: After trick-or-treating, sort through the sweets with your child, removing any items that contain allergens or have unclear labelling. You can swap out unsafe sweets with safe alternatives or non-food treats to avoid disappointment.
- Teach Your Child Not to Eat Candy While Out: Encourage your child to wait until they’re home to eat any candy so that you have time to check labels first.
7. Educate and Encourage Inclusivity
Help spread awareness in your community by talking to your neighbours about allergen-safe practices. Whether it’s suggesting non-food treats or discussing the importance of reading labels, these small conversations can make a big difference in ensuring more children have a safe and fun Halloween. You can even share information about initiatives like the Teal Pumpkin Project to encourage wider participation. Why not include some allergen safe snacks such as our Berry Blend Bar or our range of Magibles for those trick or treaters that come.
Halloween should be a night of joy, not anxiety. By taking a few extra precautions, you can create a more inclusive celebration where all kids can focus on the fun, rather than worrying about their safety. Whether you’re giving out non-food treats, educating others, or organizing an allergen-safe event, you’re helping to make Halloween a better experience for everyone in your community.
Let’s work together to ensure that Halloween is truly a time where all kids can enjoy the magic of the season—without fear.
