Released October 23, 2009

LITTLE ROCK - It's up to parents to make sure Halloween treats are the least scary part of the holiday's fun, said Denise Brochetti, assistant professor of nutrition with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Parents should make sure kids know not to accept-and especially not to eat-anything that isn't commercially wrapped.

Kids should not eat treats that are homemade, according to Brochetti, because you cannot be sure these treats are safe to eat. Brochetti suggests that before you head out to the Halloween festivities this year, talk with your children about not eating the treats they receive before they're inspected by parents.

"Parents might consider giving their kids a snack or a light meal before they go trick-or-treating so kids will be less tempted to eat the candy before it is inspected," said Brochetti.

For very young children, parents need to get rid of treats that are potential choking hazards like chewing gum, nuts, raisins, and hard candies. They also need to check the ingredient list on packages of treats for any food allergens to which their child might be sensitive. If no ingredients are listed on a package, contact the company or check the company's website to find a contact number if one is not listed on the package.

Commercially wrapped treats should be checked for signs of tampering, Brochetti said. Look for anything unusual about their appearance-discolorations, pinholes or tears in wrappers, or missing packaging.

"If parents are ever in doubt about the safety of a treat, the best thing for them to do is throw it out," Brochetti said.

If you are hosting a Halloween party or helping with a fall carnival, you should follow basic food safety. Make sure any caterers you hire are reputable and have properly-working warming, or chafing, dishes to keep hot foods hot-140 degrees Fahrenheit or above.

For those hosting a Halloween party or fall carnival, handle all food in ways that will keep it safe. If the event is to be catered, make sure the caterers are reputable. Cold foods need to be kept cold-at 40 degrees or cooler, so clear enough space in the refrigerator or use coolers with ice or gel packs to store cold food until it is served.

If you're going to a Halloween party and you need to take a dish, it's a good idea to choose something simple that can be stored safely either at room temperature or in a cooler.

"And as in any other situation, parents should be sure their children wash their hands, or use a hand sanitizer, before they eat anything," Brochetti said. The same food safety rules apply during Halloween as during any other time of the year.

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http://www.uaex.edu/news/october2009/1023halloween_treats.htm

Writer: Elizabeth Fortune, (501) 671 - 2120, efortune@uaex.edu