Did you know that one in 13 kids has a food allergy? Whether someone in your own brood is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts and the like—or you’d just like to provide allergy-free candy for trick-or-treaters this year—here are some of the best allergy-friendly Halloween candy options that everyone can enjoy (that includes staples like Swedish Fish, Skittles, and even Pixy Stix!). And to further help out kids with food allergies, each year you can place a teal pumpkin outside your home to let families know that you’re also offering non-foodie treats (hellooo, fake vampire teeth). Because it’s the ghosts that are supposed to be scary on Halloween, not the sweets.
Psst: It goes without saying that you should read the ingredient lists and labels before letting your kid dig in, but according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should also be aware that even if they are not listed on the ingredient label, candies can contain trace amounts of allergens if factories produce multiple products. (And “fun size” candies may be made on different equipment than their regular size counterpart, meaning brands your child previously ate without problems could cause a reaction.)
Confirming if the candy is made in an allergy-friendly facility (or which allergens might be present) can help you avoid major scares. If it’s not explicitly stated on the label (as it often is), check the company website or reach out directly.
