From the Dietitian: The 'Teal Pumpkin Project' and what every parent should know about food allergies for Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner. With the chance to dress up in costumes and stock up on sweets, Halloween is the highlight of the year for many kids – from toddlers to teens. But not all children have the luxury of participating in all of the goodies Halloween can provide. Some children have food allergies, making it difficult to navigate their bag of sweet treats. According to the Food Allergy Research & Education organization, around 15 million Americans – including 1 in 13 children – are living with food allergies.

The Teal Pumpkin Project

Enter the Teal Pumpkin Project, a worldwide movement helping give kids with food allergies or other known diet restrictions a safe and happy Halloween. Placing a teal pumpkin outside your home signifies that you have non-edible items available for trick-or-treaters with food allergies. In addition to peanut allergies, other common food allergies include wheat, eggs, milk, tree nuts and soy – all of which may be found in a variety of popular Halloween candies.

What to Give Out

Some ideas for non-edible items include glow sticks, pencils or crayons, stickers, spider rings, bracelets, Halloween erasers or pencil toppers, mini notebooks, finger puppets, stencils, bouncy balls, playing cards, bookmarks and bubbles. It is OK to pass out candy to kids without food allergies. Just play it safe by keeping food and non-food items in separate containers. Then you can give trick-or-treaters the choice, or ask if they have food allergies before deciding what to give. You could also hand out small bottles of water to help little goblins stay hydrated on their trek through the neighborhood.

Getting Started

To get started, simply paint a pumpkin teal and place it visibly in your front yard for trick-or-treaters to see. Some people even like to host teal pumpkin painting parties as a way to get friends and neighbors involved. Then stock up on a variety of non-edible items. You can also visit FoodAllergy.org and print free signage to place in your yard. The website also offers free flyers and educational materials to help you spread the word and have a happy, healthy and safe Halloween.

Have a question for your Hy-Vee Dietitian? Contact Jenn at jblaser@hy-vee.com or call her at 515-695-3795. Your question will be answered and may be featured with your permission.