A Sheffield mother said she has opted out of trick or treating this year due to fears her child with Celiac disease will fall ill.
Helen Dawson, a 49-year-old mother of three from Ecclesall Road, said her son was diagnosed with Celiac when he was seven.
She said: “I’ve taken Alfie trick or treating with his friends down our street for the past three years now.
“But each time he has picked up a Twix or something with biscuit when I haven’t been looking and been ill for days afterwards.
“It’s impossible to control what he’s picking up all the time.”
Celiac Disease is a condition where your immune system attacks your own tissues when you eat gluten, a dietary protein found in three types of cereal: wheat, barley, and rye.
When someone with the disease eats gluten, they can experience diarrhoea, stomach aches, and even some more long term symptoms such as weight loss and nerve damage.
Mrs Dawson said: “When Alfie does eat gluten he’s ill for days and can’t go to school.
“I’m not going to risk him getting poorly but it’s such a shame he has to miss out on such a fun Halloween tradition with his friends.”
To make trick or treating safer for children with allergies, the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) organisation started the Teal Pumpkin Project.
If you place a teal pumpkin on your doorstep, this signals that you offer non-food trinkets or treats that are safe for children with food restrictions.
The campaign aims to make trick or treating safer for the one in 13 children in the UK living with allergies.
Allergy UK have also created an information pack of advice and tips for ways in which children with food allergies can feel included in Halloween events without the risk of a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Their ‘More Treats No Tricks Halloween Guide’ gives allergen free treat suggestions, as well as measures Halloween hosts can implement to be more allergy inclusive and more.
Mrs Dawson said: “I just wish some parents were more aware of the dangers of Celiac and other allergies.
“Some houses give out homemade cakes and cookies and while this is a lovely sentiment, it’s so dangerous with cross-contamination.
“Houses should give out individually-wrapped treats so that parents can check.”
To avoid allergic reactions to treats given out on Halloween, hosts can give out individually wrapped sweets with allergen information on the packet and avoid baked goods.
Always encourage children knocking at your door to check the ingredients, and look for the allergens in bold.
Some gluten free treats that children with Celiac Disease can eat are: Smarties, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, and always check the Free From section in any big supermarket for Halloween treats.