What Does a Teal Pumpkin Mean at Halloween?
Since there are many families who struggle with their children’s food allergies, a grassroots movement was started to alert parents to those homes which were either not giving away candy, rather non-food items like glow sticks, small bottles of water, novelties or had allergy-friendly treats for those with food allergies. To signal that your home has considered this in the selection of your treats, you can paint a pumpkin teal and set it outside the door at Legacy Court Apartments in Midvale, Utah.
The most common allergens found in candy
Food allergies are growing in their manifestation in our lives for whatever reason. These often present in clusters, with a highly allergic person being allergic to several foods at once. Some of the more common food allergies include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, and soy, which are often listed as ingredients in popular candies.
What about gluten?
There are differing levels of a sensitivity to gluten, ranging from getting a headache or stomachache with a sensitivity to becoming seriously ill for those who have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Obviously, cookies or wafers in treats is troublesome, but did you know one of the biggest sources of gluten in candy is Twizzlers? In fact, Twizzlers is so commonly a food that tricks those with Celiac Disease, that just saying the word brings many groans and horrible stories from the gluten free Celiac Disease crowd.
What to get instead
Most hard candies are safe for those with allergies as well as lollipops (not filled) or small boxes of raisins. Toy spider rings, stickers, novelty tattoos, and glow sticks are options for you if you want to avoid treats altogether. As these can be more expensive than a bag of candy, you can get a few of these items for those who have allergies (and ask the little ghosts and goblins and thier parents at the door) and pass out the more traditional treats for those lucky kiddos who do not have food allergies.
If you come up with any other treat ideas, please stop in and let us know at Legacy Court Apartments in Midvale.
