In the News - October 2009
Ensuring treats are the least scary part of Halloween
LITTLE ROCK - It's up to parents to make sure Halloween treats are the least
scary part of the holiday's fun, said Dr. 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.
For more information about food safety, visit extension's Web site,
www.uaex.edu, or contact your county extension
agent.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability,
marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
October 23, 2009
By Kimberly Dishongh
U of A Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Elizabeth Fortune
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
efortune@uaex.edu
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