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Reminding Canadians of Food Safety This Halloween
- Starting date:
- October 25, 2010
- Posting date:
- October 25, 2010
- Type of communication:
- Advisory
- Subcategory:
- Allergen - Milk, Allergen - Peanut, Allergen - Tree Nut, Allergen - Wheat, Microbiological - Other
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Issue:
- Allergy Information, Food Safety
- Audience:
- General Public
- Identification number:
- RA-110003857
Halloween is a fun and exciting time for children. Health Canada would like to remind all Canadians of some important safety tips they can use to ensure that Halloween remains an enjoyable experience for everyone.
The excitement of Halloween can often make children forget some of the important safety rules they have learned. Parents or caregivers are encouraged to remind them not to accept – and especially not to eat – homemade candy or baked goods. An adult should also always inspect the treats before children start snacking. A few tips to keep in mind:
- Discard homemade candy or baked goods.
- Remove choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys when young children are involved.
- Wash fresh fruit thoroughly, inspect for holes, including small punctures, and cuts, before allowing your children to eat it.
- Throw out any treats that are not wrapped, those in torn or loose packages, or any that have small holes in the wrappers.
Some Halloween treats may also contain ingredients that can cause severe adverse reactions in individuals who have allergies or sensitivities. These treats often include ingredients like peanuts, tree nuts, milk and egg – some of the most common food allergens. Parents or caregivers of children with food allergies should exercise caution by reading labels carefully for all treats and by avoiding candies that do not have an ingredient list.
More information about Halloween Food Safety is available from:
The Government of Canada's Halloween Food Safety Tip Sheet.
It's Your Health on Halloween Safety.
Media enquiries
Health Canada
613-957-2983
Public enquiries
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709