Allergies and Halloween

Yesterday, I mentioned that my daughter and husband both have some pretty severe food allergies.  My husband grew up in an age when food allergies were largely ignored, or considered to be a "choice" or that he was a "picky eater".  My daughter has had issues throughout school, and has had to be vigilant and her own advocate since she started school, as many of her teachers and the cafeteria staff thought she was just being "picky".

Yep, the joys of having a milk allergy.  It doesn't get the press that peanut allergies do, but it is every bit as dangerous to her and her well being. 

Anyway, how do you safely celebrate Halloween when your child has food allergies without sucking the joy out of the occasion for every parent, child, and teacher around you?

It's all a matter of how vigilant you are willing to be.

Most schools no longer have Halloween Parties.  When my kids were in elementary school, they still did.  I made arrangements with my daughter's teachers to be in charge of snacks for all of the parties.  I got together with another mom who's child had peanut allergies.  Between us, we decided the most stress free way for us to handle this was to ask for a cash donation - at that time, it was $1/child, and we went out and bought the allergy free goodies ourselves.  We happily bought fresh pressed cider, apples, and brought in popcorn and other safe treats for our kids.   We had a blast shopping and cooking together over the years!  Oh, the year we got a donation of apple cider and pumpkin donuts (dairy and nut free) from one of the local bakeries was amazing!

Anyway, I found a list on the Food Allergy Research and Education Blog about how to have a safe Halloween when your child has food allergies.
http://blog.foodallergy.org/?s=how+to+have+a+safe+halloween.

Here is their list:

• Stock up on safe treats or inexpensive trinkets/toys to trade for any unsafe candies your child might receive while trick-or-treating. You can also use sorting through your child’s candy as an opportunity to teach him or her about hidden allergens and reading labels.
• Enforce a “no eating while trick-or-treating” rule, so that you have time to review all food labels.
• Avoid candy and treats that do not have an ingredient label.
• Always have an epinephrine auto-injector available, if prescribed.
• Keep in mind that the mini-size, fun-size, or bite-size version of candy may contain different ingredients than their full-size counterparts. Make no assumptions, and read all labels carefully.
• Keep the emphasis on the fun, rather than the candy.
• Consider starting a tradition by allowing their kids to leave their unsafe candies out for the “Good Witch” to collect and leave behind small gifts and safe treats.
• Consider making small and safe “goody bags” for neighbors to give to your child. Deliver the bags in advance and describe your child’s costume to your neighbors. Encourage your child to trick-or-treat at the houses in which you’ve delivered the bags.
• Consider skipping trick-or-treating, and have a Halloween party instead, featuring safe and delicious treats. Or, skip the treats altogether by replacing them with other fun Halloween toys, games, or party favors.
• Remember that a candy that has been safe for your child in the past may now have different ingredients. Read the label, every time.

Have a fun and safe Halloween!