(CNN)In the spirit of Halloween, treats can be tricky for kids with food allergies, which is one in 13 children under the age of 18 in the United States.
“In the context of Halloween, chances are pretty high that you will have at least one or two kids with food allergies on your block,” said Nancy Gregory, a spokeswoman for the group Food Allergy Research and Education.
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The eight common food allergens responsible for 90% of reactions are milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.
Dr. Stanley Fineman, an allergist with Atlanta Allergy & Asthma, explained that milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts are the most common allergens for kids, with peanuts and tree nuts causing the most severe allergic reactions. “The intensity of these reactions can vary from mild to potentially life-threatening based on how sensitive the patient is to the allergen and the dose they received,” he said.
But by considering alternatives, and taking simple precautions, everyone can contribute to helping kids with food allergies be prepared and enjoy a safer Halloween.
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For Hillary Carter of Greenwich, Connecticut, who has two boys with severe food allergies, Halloween can still be a fun holiday for her family. “We just have to be prepared.”
Support for the Teal Pumpkin Project
The Teal Pumpkin Project is an annual awareness campaign that encourages people to provide non-food treats in order to support kids with food allergies and make them feel included. Inspired by a Tennessee mom and launched by FARE in 2014, the movement has picked up momentum, attracting more and more participants each year.
The US Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires that companies highlight the major allergens present in their products. This is usually done by having “Contains” written on the packaging, followed by the allergens, or listing the ingredient with the respective allergens in parenthesis.
Optional “May Contain” labeling indicates that the food might contain traces of the allergen as a result of cross-contact situations during its production. “Traces of allergens could be potentially very dangerous,” Fineman said. “We council patients to avoid packages that state ‘may contain’ the food to which they are allergic.”
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, mini-size candy can be tricky. Different sizes of the same candy can have different ingredients. Also, individually wrapped items may not match the label on the outer package. This could be attributed to the fact that mini-size candies are sometimes produced in different factories. Many times, mini-size candies do not have a label. In that case, it is better not to take any risks, or check with the manufacturer, said Gregory.
More tips for caregivers of kids with food allergies
Get an accurate allergy diagnosis. “If the child has no history of allergies, I would not anticipate anything,” Fineman said. “But parents need to make sure that their child has an accurate diagnosis from an allergist.”
Alerting treat-givers. Children can have little tags that indicate what they are allergic to, said Fineman. If an adult is accompanying the child, they can inform the person giving out the treats about the child’s dietary restrictions.
The rule for kids is to check first. Caregivers should check food labels before allowing their kids to consume any of the treats. It is better to avoid candy with no food label. You can swap their treats with candy that you know is safe for them. Another option would be to swap their candy with non-food treats or toys.