It’s that time of year. Halloween. The crisp autumn leaves crunch under foot as children in costumes run from house to house for trick-or-treat. Given that one in thirteen children have food allergies, it’s a good idea to have some safe treats to pass out at your house.
Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. Keep in mind food production can change, always check food labels to be sure products are free of your particular food allergen. For further information please see full Disclaimer.
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Here’s the Problem
For kids with food allergies, there are always the go-to treat alternatives: stickers, plastic spiders, or even those unopened playdough containers that your kid got for his birthday a few years back. But, we all know, kids with food allergies don’t want non-food items at every door. They want candy, just like all the other kids.
So when you’re out at the store stocking up for the big night, it’s good to know what treats are best to make your house more food allergy friendly. Here we’ll discuss brands of allergy friendly candy that are easy to find in the store.
Allergy Friendly Halloween Candy
So let’s talk about what type of candy is generally safe among the top 9 food allergens (wheat, egg, milk, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, and fish).
Although the below candy can not be deemed as allergy free, it is allergy friendly candy. There is no such thing as allergy free candy as there are many different types of food allergies.
These candies, however, are good choices if you are trying to avoid the top 9 allergens.
According to FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education), the top 9 allergens make up over 90% of reactions. Food allergies vary from person to person. This information is not to suggest that this candy is safe for all children with food allergies or that these candies do not have any of the top 9 allergens. But these candies do have a limited amount of common allergens.
Here are eight candies that are safe for most (but not all) children with food allergies.
1. Smarties
Smarties have been around forever and are an excellent choice for a trick-or-treater.
2. Original Starburst
A delight for those of us that love chewy gummy candy! Starburst’s juicy flavor doesn’t disappoint.
3. Swedish Fish
Swedish Fish are my son’s favorite.
4. DumDums
DumDums are a superstar when it comes to being allergy friendly. Free of tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, milk, eggs, shellfish, and fish. Also made on dedicated equipment. There are so many different flavors of lollipops.
5. Sour Patch Kids
Are these too sour for your kids? Unlikely. Sour Patch Kids are another favorite amongst trick or treaters.
6. Original Dots
Okay, these are my favorite. Dots gumdrops are tree nut and peanut free.
7. Original Skittles
Taste the rainbow with Skittles.
8. Airheads
Airheads are chewy and gooey.
Please refer to the product label for the most accurate ingredient and allergen information. Different companies have different policies about manufacturing on dedicated lines. Please be sure to read each brand’s information about risk for cross contamination.
9. YumEarth
Free of the top 9 food allergens and also partnering with FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education). YumEarth is a newer company that focuses on safe products for those with food allergies.
Teal Pumpkin Project
Supporting kids with food allergies is an amazing thing to do during Trick or Treat. The Teal Pumpkin Project was created to help children with food allergies know which houses are safe during trick or treat.
Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep serves as a visual cue that your house is food-allergy friendly.
FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) offers posters that you can print and hang by your door. One states that you have non-food treats available and the other states that you have candy and non-food treats available.
Trick-or-Treat: When a Non-Food Item is Really a Treat
I am shamelessly going to plug my book here. Every year, I hand out a few of my books to my trick-or-treaters with food allergies. It is exciting for kids with food allergies to get a book. Young trick-or-treaters with food allergies often squeal and smile as they get their copy of My Food Allergies. Their parents love it too!
Of Note:
Always check package ingredients, do not rely on the information in this blog as ingredients may change.
This post is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as advice.
Listing a product here does not guarantee that the particular product is safe for your individual needs.
This Website Does Not Provide Medical Advice
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Conclusion
I hope this information helps for those of you who want to support your neighbor that may have food allergies. Having some non-food treats along with some candies that tend to be more allergy friendly is a great way to be inclusive.
The Teal Pumpkin Project is another great way of showing your support for kids with food allergies this Halloween.
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Last Updated on October 12, 2022 by Amber DeVore, RD, CSSD, CLT