From bobbing for apples at a party to devouring a bucket of candy, food is definitely a big part of enjoying Halloween. But it can also lead to problems such as food-related illnesses, allergic reactions or even incidents such as choking.
The following top Halloween food safety tips from the FDA and the CDC will help keep your guests and little ghosts and goblins safe.
Prevent an allergic reaction
If your child has a food allergy, the following can let them enjoy their Halloween haul while avoiding any problematic foods:
Look for teal pumpkins
Families who display teal pumpkins offer non-candy treats for trick-or-treaters who may have allergies.
Check all treats
Make sure your child knows not to eat any candy before you check it at home. Look for ingredient lists on pre-packaged candy, and throw out any homemade treats since you can't positively identify their ingredients.
Buy treats for your child
Buy some small trinkets (check out the non-candy suggestions listed below) to give your children on Halloween. That way, if they end up not being able to eat much of their candy, they won't feel left out.
Exchange or donate what your child can't eat
Find a local Halloween Candy Buy Back event in your area where kids can exchange candy for cash or prizes. You can also donate candy to active duty service members or other organizations.
Check for signs of tampering
Although tampering with candy is rare, it does happen. The CDC recommends consuming only factory-sealed food items. Look for any evidence of the following:
- An unusual appearance
- Discoloration
- Tiny pinholes
- Tears in wrappers
Throw out homemade treats unless they're from someone you know very well. If something looks suspicious, throw it out, and if you find actual evidence of tampering, notify the police.
Eliminate choking hazards
Some Halloween treats can be choking hazards, especially for small children. Look through their bags to eliminate the following:
- Peanuts
- Hard candies
- Gum
- Raisins
- Gooey candy like caramel, taffy or marshmallows
- Small toys such as balls or marbles
In addition, make sure kids don't lie down when they're eating their Halloween candy, since this can increase their risk of choking.
Make sure treats you serve at home are safe
Candy from outside your home isn't the only possible treat-related danger. If you're hosting a Halloween party or planning other holiday activities for your family, take the following precautions:
Clean fruit
If you're bobbing for apples, rinse them thoroughly and use a produce brush.
Avoid raw dough
Don't eat raw cookie dough or cake batter, which can contain bacteria.
Refrigerate properly
Don't leave food out on the table or counter for too long. Keep items refrigerated until they're ready to serve, and don't leave perishable foods out for more than two hours.
Offer non-food alternatives
You don't have to limit yourself to handing out candy. Kids enjoy small toys or other treats, and you won't have to worry about allergies or stuffing them with too much candy. Dollar stores are great places to pick up multiple items packaged together, such as the following:
- Glow sticks
- Plastic rings with spiders, skulls, etc.
- Small bubble bottles
- Stickers
- Mini notepads
- Bouncy balls
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Vampire teeth
- Temporary tattoos
- Stencils
- Silly bands
- Small playing cards
- Small cans of Play-Doh
- Finger puppets
