Beloved by adults and children alike, Halloween is a holiday that delights in ghoulish decoration, delicious treats and delightful costume. But did you know that treats can sometimes harbor foodborne illness, allergic reaction or choking dangers for children? Before heading out to trick-or-treat with the kids (and letting them devour that bucket of candy), follow these food safety tips provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to avoid a real nightmare this Halloween:
1. Avoid sending children out to trick-or-treat on an empty stomach – they should not nibble on treats from their goody bags before you’ve had the chance to inspect each piece of candy. Give children a light meal or snack before they head out.
2. Tell children not to accept any candy that isn’t commercially wrapped. Examine all commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering – these include unusual appearance, discoloration, tiny pinholes or wrapper tears. Toss anything that looks suspicious.
3. If your child has a food allergy (especially a peanut allergy), check all candy labels to ensure that the allergen isn’t present. Children should not be allowed to consume any home-baked goods received while trick-or-treating.
4. If you have very young children, treats such as gum, peanuts, hard candies and small toys present choking hazards. Remove these items and place them out of reach of young children.
For partygoers and party throwers:
1. Unpasteurized juices or ciders that haven’t been further processed are at greater risk of foodborne illness. These drinks may contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella. Be sure to serve only pasteurized products. Usually, juice in boxes, bottles or cans from your grocery store’s frozen food case, refrigerators or shelves are safe to consume (it’s packaged juice products made on site that you have to watch out for!). If unsure whether a juice or cider has been pasteurized or not, always ask.
2. Bobbing for apples may be a favorite Halloween activity, but it can have nasty side effects if you’re not careful. Reduce the risk of bacteria that may be present on apples (which can cause foodborne illness) by thoroughly rinsing them under cool running water. Using a produce brush to remove surface dirt is also recommended.
More tips and tricks for a healthy Halloween may be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
