Teal Pumpkins Help Make Halloween Safer for Children with Food Allergies
For many children, Halloween means costumes, neighborhood adventures and, of course, candy. But for children with food allergies, what’s inside the wrapper can turn a fun night into a potentially serious health risk.
The Teal Pumpkin Project, an initiative of Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), encourages households and community organizations to offer non-food treats and display a teal pumpkin to let families know those options are available.
Blaine Eubanks, MD, pediatrician and internal medicine at SIH Primary Care Harrisburg, recently spoke about the effort and how Southern Illinoisans can help make Halloween safer and more inclusive.
Q: What does a teal pumpkin mean at Halloween?
Dr. Eubanks: A teal pumpkin tells families that you have safe, non-food items available for someone with a food allergy or intolerance. Those alternatives can be something as simple as glow sticks, crayons or small toys. You can't tell by looking at someone whether they have a food allergy or intolerance, so it's a nice way to open that door without putting a child in an uncomfortable position.
Q: Why can Halloween be especially challenging for children with food allergies?
Dr. Eubanks: Halloween is about candy, and kids want to participate in what everyone else is doing. Even children with life-threatening nut allergies want to try the candy their friends are eating. It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether a treat is safe, and that creates very real health risks for children with serious allergies.
FARE notes that miniature or “fun-size” versions of candy can present additional challenges because they may be manufactured differently or may not carry the same ingredient labeling as full-size versions.
Q: Why does such a small gesture matter?
Dr. Eubanks: There are probably children in your own community with food allergies or intolerances, whether you know it or not. If you're participating in Halloween, running a business with a trunk-or-treat or hosting a church gathering, there are kids you may be able to protect simply by having another option available.
Q: What's your message to families this Halloween?
Dr. Eubanks: I just hope everybody can have a lovely, safe holiday. We already take precautions like making sure children are visible and safe while they're out trick-or-treating. This is another simple way of looking out for your kids and other kids in your community.
Learn more: Visit FARE's Teal Pumpkin Project for non-food treat ideas, printable signs and the Teal Pumpkin Project Map.
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