On the spookiest and most fun holiday of the year, nobody wants Halloween to be extra scary because of an allergic reaction. If you want to ensure every trick-or-treater has a very happy Halloween this year, it’s important to know some facts about allergens before you go perusing the treat aisles at your local grocery store — even though we all know some of that candy parents buy may not even make it to the trick-or-treater bowl.
If you’re a parent of an allergic child, you know the struggles you face every day just to try to keep your child safe. From asking child care facilities and schools if they’ll be allergen-free, to reading every label and checking every ingredient when going out to eat, it can be stressful. This is especially true on Halloween night when everyone is trying to have fun.
Wouldn’t it be great if folks were able to help allergic kids and families out on this special night of the year? Well, the good news is they can! Here’s an easy guide to allergy-friendly Halloween candy and experts tips to promote allergy-safe holiday fun for everyone.
Halloween is the top holiday for allergy-related illnesses
Unfortunately, Halloween appears to be a time associated with an increased risk of anaphylactic shock reactions to unknown nuts and peanuts among children, says Dr. Daniel Ganjian, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
“The incidence rate ratios are 1.66 and 1.86 respectively. This suggests a higher likelihood of allergic reactions during Halloween compared to the rest of the year, according to the National Library of Medicine,” Ganjian says. According to the same study, the mean daily count of peanut-triggered anaphylaxis events increased by 85% during Halloween compared to the rest of the year.
Additionally, nuts and peanuts aren’t the only common food allergens to look out for in Halloween candy.
Common Food Allergens in Halloween Candy
Though kids can be allergic to any food ingredient, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identifies nine major food allergens, including tree nuts and peanuts, as well as:
- Milk.
- Eggs.
- Soy.
- Sesame.
- Fish.
- Shellfish.
- Wheat.
According to medical experts, the most common allergens from this list that are found in Halloween candy — other than nuts and peanuts — include eggs, milk, soy and sesame.
“Remember that kids have different allergies, so you can’t say that something is allergy-friendly if it’s just peanut- or nut-free.”
— Dr. Gina Posner, pediatrician
Sesame is one most people don’t think of, says Dr. Gina Posner, a board certified pediatrician at Memorial Care Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. “Remember that kids have different allergies, so you can’t say that something is allergy-friendly if it’s just peanut- or nut-free,” Posner adds.
Tips for serving allergy-friendly Halloween candy
There are ways to ensure that Halloween treats are indeed allergy-friendly, and there are things parents can do to ensure everyone has a fun and safe Halloween, no matter what allergies they have.
One way to make sure all kids can enjoy Halloween candy is to read ingredient labels carefully for the most common food allergens, says Ganjian. He adds that it’s also important for parents of children with allergies to communicate their child’s allergies to neighbors, teachers and friends, and have an epinephrine auto-injector handy just in case while trick-or-treating.
The experts also recommend having separate bowls for allergy-free Halloween candy and regular candy. Ganjian adds that parents passing out candy should be a “Teal Pumpkin House,” and parents of allergic kids should only go to Teal Pumpkin Houses on Halloween night.
But what does a teal pumpkin have to do with allergies? Here’s what you need to know about the Teal Pumpkin Project.
What is the Teal Pumpkin Project?
The Teal Pumpkin Project is an initiative by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) that promotes inclusion for children with allergies by having families place a teal pumpkin or sign outside of their homes indicating they have allergy-friendly candy or non-food treats.
Even if a home has a teal pumpkin, families should still check ingredient labels before kids consume any new candies. You can also contact the candy’s manufacturer if you have concerns about potential allergen contamination during production.
Allergy-Friendly Halloween Candy Options
While you’re searching for treats for your trick-or-treater bowls, check out the below list of allergy safe Halloween candy options. Toys and non-food items are also a great choice, Ganjian says, but if you’re going for the full Halloween candy experience, these candies (and some cookies) are great treats for many allergic kids — no tricks involved.
Remember to read food labels carefully and check with your child’s allergist or pediatrician before trying new ingredients.
1. Choco NoNos
Choco NoNos from No Whey Chocolate are perfect for Halloween treats. They’re like M&Ms without all the spooky ingredients. They’re milk, nut, gluten, sesame, soy, egg and wheat-free.
Where to buy: Choco NoNos ($15 for 2-pack, Amazon)
2. Skittles
Believe it or not, this rainbow treat is 100% free of the most common food allergens. It’s always a Halloween candy staple in every trick-or-treater’s arsenal.
Where to buy: Skittles ($29 for 64-ounce bag, Target)
3. YumEarth Lollipops
This brand of treats and snacks is free of gluten, tree nuts and peanuts, eggs, fish, dairy, soy and sesame. They even have a handy-dandy picture on the label of all of the things that aren’t included.
Where to buy: YumEarth Organic Vitamin C Lollipops ($31 for 3-pack, Target)
4. Starburst
Juicy and chewy Starbursts are free from several top allergens. Like Skittles, they’re also made by Mars — not the planet, of course, but wouldn’t that be cool if they were?
Where to buy: Starburst ($7.29 for 27.5-ounce bag, Target)
5. Smarties
In elementary school, many kids were convinced that if you ate a pack of Smarties, you would automatically become smart. While that may not be true, you will look incredibly smart for including these allergy-friendly Halloween candies in your bowl.
Where to buy: Halloween Trick or Sweet Smarties ( $12 for 64-ounce bag, Target)
6. Mike and Ike
These chewy and delicious treats are the perfect allergy-friendly Halloween candy, as they’re free from dairy and eggs, fish and shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, soy and wheat.
Where to buy: Mike and Ike ($2, Target)
7. Swedish Fish
There’s nothing fishy when it comes to allergies for this popular Halloween candy. It’s free of the top nine food allergens.
Where to buy: Swedish Fish ($20 for 50 mini packs, Amazon)
8. Airheads
These allergy-friendly Halloween treats are just as chewy, fruity and fun as they were in the ‘90s.
Where to buy: Airheads ($27 for 90-pack, Target)
9. Jolly Ranchers
The ultimate hard candy is definitely one for your allergy-free Halloween candy bowl. Just keep in mind that this one might be a choking hazard for young kids, so it’s more suitable for older trick-or-treaters.
Where to buy: Jolly Ranchers ($13 for 50-ounce bag, Target)
10. Partake Cookies
These cookies come individually wrapped and are free from the top nine allergens. Plus, they’re delicious to boot.
Where to buy: Partake Chocolate Chip Cookies ($8 for 10-pack, Target)
11. YumEarth Gummy Bears
You can’t go wrong again with YumEarth Gummy Bears. They are just as delicious (and allergen-free) as their lollipops.
Where to buy: YumEarth Assorted Flavor Gummy Bears ($8 for 10-pack, Amazon)
12. Fun Dip
Believe it or not, this sugary delight beloved by children through every decade is still available, and they’re a great option for an allergy-friendly Halloween candy for a Teal Pumpkin house.
Where to buy: Fun Dip Halloween Box ($8 for 44 pouches, Target)
13. Sour Patch Kids
These sour and sweet gummy candies are also a popular allergy-friendly Halloween option. Just watch out for the tart flavor and face-puckering that may occur as soon as kids taste them.
Where to buy: Sour Patch Kids Halloween Soft & Chewy Candy Bag ($7 for 100 mini packs, Target)
14. Laffy Taffy
While they may be harder to chew, this traditional Halloween treat is the perfect addition to an allergy-free candy stash.
Where to buy: Laffy Taffy Assorted ($25 for 145 mini packs, Target)
15. YumEarth Fruit Snacks
Are you sensing a theme in this allergy-free Halloween candy list? This is yet another option from YumEarth that is allergy-safe and can help you be all set for Halloween night.
Where to buy: YumEarth Halloween Organic Gummy Fruits ($11 for 20-pack, Target)
What are the signs of an allergic reaction?
If, for some reason, an allergic child ends up accidentally ingesting non allergy-friendly Halloween candy, it’s important to know what symptoms to look out for. Ganjian says the signs of an allergic reaction include:
- Hives.
- Swelling.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Coughing.
- Wheezing.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
“In severe cases, it can lead to anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening emergency,” he adds. In the event of an allergic reaction, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using the child’s epinephrine auto-injector and contacting emergency medical services right away.
The bottom line
Whether your child has food allergies or not, you can use this Halloween candy list to be vigilant about the candy and treats you’re providing. Parents and caregivers should also be on the lookout for any signs of an allergic reaction.
Being a caring and considerate human is never a trick, but always a treat. This Halloween, it’s possible for everyone to work together to make sure every trick-or-treater can have a blast!
