These tips are from the Food Safe Families campaign —a collaboration on behalf of the Ad Council, USDA, CDC and FDA. Visit FoodSafety.gov to learn more.
Even though it’s not an official holiday, Halloween is much beloved by children and adults alike. What could be more fun than trick-or-treating, apple bobbing, or costume parties?
To make sure treats are safe for children, follow these simple steps:
- Snacking: Children shouldn’t snack while they’re out trick-or-treating. Give them a light meal or snack before they head out – don’t send them out on an empty stomach. Urge them to wait until they get home and let you inspect the contents of their “goody bags.”
- Safe treats: Tell children not to accept – and especially not to eat – anything that isn’t commercially wrapped. Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
- Choking hazards: If you have very young children, be sure to remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys.
- Bobbing for apples: This game is an all-time Halloween favorite. Here are a couple of ways to say “boo” to bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
Try this new spin on apple bobbing from FightBAC.org:
1. Cut out lots of apples from red construction paper.
2. On each apple, write activities for kids, such as “do 5 jumping jacks.”
3. Place a paper clip on each apple and put them in a large basket.
4. Tie a magnet to a string.
5. Let the children take turns “bobbing” with their magnet and doing the activity written on their apple.
6. Give children a fresh apple for participating.
If your idea of Halloween fun is a party at home, don’t forget these tips:
- Beware of spooky cider! Unpasteurized juice or cider can contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella. To stay safe, always serve pasteurized products at your parties.
- No matter how tempting, don’t taste raw cookie dough or cake batter that contain uncooked eggs.
- “Scare” bacteria away by keeping all perishable foods chilled until serving time. These include finger sandwiches, cheese platters, fruit or tossed salads, cold pasta dishes with meat, poultry, or seafood, and cream pies or cakes with whipped-cream and cream-cheese frostings.
- Bacteria will creep up on you if you let foods sit out too long. Don’t leave perishable goodies out of the fridge for more than two hours (1 hour in temperatures above 90 degrees F).
If you follow the above guidelines, you’ll be all set for a safe, not “spooky” Halloween this year. Gear up with some of these great recipe ideas for parties, snacks and more!
Unforgettable Homemade Halloween Recipes:
35 Must-Have Halloween Party Appetizers
How to Set Up Your Own Caramel Apple Bar
Our 13 Best Homemade Halloween Candy Recipes – Printable Collection!
22 Things to Do With Leftover Halloween Candy
What’s your favorite pre-wrapped Halloween candy?
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