Trick-or-Treat for Food Allergies... And Follow These Safety Tips

Celiac disease is not an allergy, so eating gluten does not put us at risk for the immediate life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. People with food allergies do face that danger, however. This year the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network is again sponsoring its Trick-or-Treat for Food Allergy program. Participation is free. Kids can raise funds for food allergy education and research programs and win prizes, too. You can register on their site to have a collection box mailed to you, or call (800) 929-4040 for more information. In addition, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network has posted some Halloween Safety Tips that I’ve adapted for parents of celiac children:

• Have your trick-or-treater eat dinner before going out on Halloween, so he’s not tempted by hunger to eat something he shouldn't.
• If your child is old enough to go without an adult, have her go with friends who know about her celiac disease or food allergy.
• If your child will collect candy on Halloween, have something special ready to trade for the candy she can’t eat.
• Give the treats your child cannot eat to other children, for example, at a local hospital or through a food bank.
• Pass out nonfood items, such as Halloween stickers or small toys, to trick-or-treaters to promote food allergy awareness. Encourage your neighbors to do this, too.