Trick-or-Treat

“What’s that teal pumpkin? Trick-or treating can be free of allergens, calories”

By: Amina Khan

Source: La Times

http://touch.latimes.com/#section/621/article/p2p-81842288/ 

 

  Parents of children who have food allergies may have a problem if their kids go trick-or-treating. Teal Pumpkin Project is and efforts to ensure that stress-free, non-food treats are available for children who cannot participate in Halloween tradition. Teal Pumpkin Project is a nonprofit organization led by Food Allergy Research and Education. This organization asks households that there treats to include non-edible options so that children with food restrictions can also have fun and participate. By taking part in this action homes can signal their allergy-friendly status by displaying a teal-colored pumpkin at their home. Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system repeatedly overreacts to certain or specific foods. Food allergies trigger varied from person to person. Symptoms range from hives on the skin or a serious case where it can potentially fatal restriction of the airways caused by anaphylaxis. 90% of serious allergic reactions in the U.S are due to just eight foods. The eight foods are milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and crustacean shellfish. Most of these ingredients can be found in packaged sweets. Candy ingredients seem allergen-free but cross-contamination can happen. For example a chocolate bar does not contain peanuts but it could still have been manufactured on the same equipment as a peanut filled candy. Instead of passing out candy some houses pass out stickers, pencils, or Halloween related crayons. Young children may like these things because they will enjoy them, like coloring with those crayons. Parents will also feel safe too. Some treats can also be a fitting alternative not for allergy- concerned parents, but for parents who are concerned with the healthy aspect.

  This is an article that should be read because it concerns children’s health and how to turn trick-or-treating safe and allergy free. There are alternative treats that can be passed out which will benefit children and can be healthy. Some house owners should read this article and make a change for next year’s trick-or-treaters.