Halloween is supposed to come with a few scares. Food allergy reactions should not be one of them.
From school parties and college events to restaurant promotions, senior living celebrations, hotel gatherings and workplace festivities, Halloween often brings food into environments where it may not normally be served. And with more than 33 million Americans living with food allergies, roughly 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children, food allergy safety should be part of the planning for any event where food is served.
For children in particular, the stakes can be extremely high: more than 40% of children with food allergies have experienced a severe or life-threatening reaction. Thoughtful planning, clear procedures and properly trained staff can help organizations create celebrations that are fun and inclusive while reducing unnecessary risk.
Start With the Menu
A safer event begins during the planning phase. Before adding seasonal treats or specialty dishes, it’s important that you review exactly what will be served and what ingredients are used.
Ingredient information should be accessible to any employees responsible for preparing, serving or answering questions about food. Do not rely on appearances or assumptions. A cookie that looks nut-free may have been made with almond flour. A caramel sauce may contain milk. A seasonal drink garnish could introduce an allergen that is not normally part of the recipe.
Remember, too, that Halloween candy can present its own challenges. Miniature or seasonal versions of familiar products may have different ingredients or manufacturing information than their full-size counterparts. Staff should never guess about ingredients when a guest asks.
Build A Plan & Make Sure Everyone Knows It
Knowing what is in the food is only part of keeping guests safe. Cross-contact can happen when allergens are unintentionally transferred through shared utensils, equipment, preparation surfaces or serving tools. Before an event, plan how allergen-friendly foods will be prepared, kept separate, identified and served.
Another item on your list that is arguably just as important is to make sure everyone understands the plan. Staff should know where to find ingredient information, who should answer allergy questions, how requests should be communicated to the kitchen or foodservice team and what steps to take to reduce cross-contact. If a request cannot be safely accommodated, employees should know how to communicate that clearly rather than guess or improvise.
This is especially key when events involve temporary staff, volunteers or employees working outside their normal roles. A guest asking, “Does this contain peanuts?” should receive the same accurate answer no matter whom they ask. Training gives employees the knowledge and confidence to respond consistently and appropriately or to seek out the correct information quickly.
Remember: Halloween Does Not Have to Be All About Food
One of the easiest ways to make a Halloween event more inclusive is to offer activities and treats that do not involve food at all. Stickers, glow sticks, small toys, games, crafts and other non-food options can give guests another way to participate.
For schools and family-focused events in particular, non-food choices can help children with food allergies participate in the fun without making food the center of every activity.
Preparation Makes the Difference
Food allergies can cause serious and potentially life-threatening reactions, which means food allergy safety should never be left to chance. The good news is that many of the steps that make an event safer (thoughtful menu planning, accurate ingredient information, cross-contact precautions and clear communication) can be established well before the celebration begins. That is where training matters.
AllerTrain® provides ANAB-accredited food allergy and gluten-free training designed to help food service professionals understand food allergies, reduce risk and create safer, more inclusive dining experiences. Before your next seasonal event, make sure your team has the knowledge and tools to keep the celebration fun and welcoming for everyone, even guests with food allergies.
