Teal pumpkins lead to a safer halloween for kids with food allergies

Halloween is one of the most dangerous holidays in regards to food allergies.

Dr. Elias Akl an allergy and immunology specialist at Eastern Maine Northern Light Health says, "A kid with food allergies, it stress inducing for the parents and especially during halloween time when their kids are going to be going trick or treating with other kids and they don't want their kids to feel left out of that."

One in 13 kids have food allergies making it hard for some to participate in the years-old tradition as easily...until the teal pumpkin came along.

Akl says, "The teal pumpkin project was launched back in 2014 by the food allergy and education website. The whole idea of the teal pumpkin project is to try and make these kids feel no different than the other kids."

The idea is simple, you set a teal pumpkin outside your door signaling to trick-or-treaters that there are non-food treats available.

Akl says, "Stickers, notepads, pencils, stuff that glow in the dark. Kids love that, it's not just about the candy."

It's easy to get involved in the teal pumpkin project. There's even an interactive map to help you find teal pumpkins near you.

Akl says, "If you're a house that is participating you can add your location. Or you go up to search my area or zip code and you can do a one mile up to a 50 mile search."

Folks are still encouraged to pass out traditional candy on Halloween, health experts just ask that you keep it in a separate bowl from your non-food treats.

Experts say the Teal Pumpkin Project is a great campaign that helps keeps kids safe on the spooky holiday...

Akl says, "This way they won't leave any kids out and all kids can actually have a safe and happy halloween."

For more information you can visit foodallergy.org.