Most Halloween candy and treats are perfectly safe to eat. Each year, however, there are reports of tainted or altered treats being distributed in some neighborhoods. Even though the likelihood of your child coming home with problem candy is small, the consequences could be severe if you are one of the few families who encounters a problem. Read on to learn how to check your child's Halloween candy.
Special Needs
If your child has celiac disease, gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, diabetes, nut sensitivity, or another special dietary situation, you need to be extra-vigilant. Make sure you read ingredient lists on all candies carefully, and check with the manufacturer if you have a questions about whether the food is safe for your child. When in doubt, throw it out.
How To Check Your Kids’ Halloween Candy
This video lays out some simple procedures you can use to avoid your children eating tainted Halloween candy this year. Make sure that no candy is consumed before you child gets home, dispose of any unwrapped or homemade items, and look carefully for rips, tears, and any evidence of tampering.
Introduction
There are a number of reasons to check your child's Halloween candy before they eat it. You can help them plan out how they will eat it, check it for signs of tampering, and make sure it doesn't have any forbidden ingredients. Set ground rules with your kids, discard all homemade treats, and check commercially packaged candies carefully.
Step 1: Set Ground Rules
Starting when your child is very young, make it a family rule that no candy is eaten until it is brought home. If you begin this practice when they are little and you are accompanying them, it will become a habit by the time they are older and venturing around the neighborhood alone. Give them dinner before they go out,so they will be less likely to want to snack.
Step 2: Discard Homemade Treats
Unless you know the person who made the treat well, throw out cookies, brownies, popcorn balls, and other homemade goodies. You should also discard fruits, such as apples, as dangerous items can be hidden inside them. A good rule of thumb is to throw out anything that is not commercially packaged, unless it was received directly from a close friend.
Step 3: Check Halloween Candy Packaging Carefully
Examine each candy bar or bag carefully for signs of tampering. Check to be sure:
- The original seal is intact.
- There are no small holes or rips.
- The package is not altered or discolored.
If anything looks "off", discard the candy. You may want to have a stash of candy on hand that you can use to replace discarded treats so that your child isn't disappointed.
