The Teal Pumpkin Project is a new campaign that gives kids with allergies a chance to enjoy a fun-filled Halloween on October 31, Saturday, by tweaking the orange, thick-skinned fruit used for jack-o'-lanterns. Participants are putting bright blue-colored pumpkins on their porches to keep the tradition fun and safe by offering children allergen-free alternatives to the standard giveaways of mini candy bars, taffy, peanut butter cups, candy corn, and liquorish. Households taking part in the campaign will fill the trick-or-treat bags of kids in costumes with non-food goodies, to prevent allergic reactions.
Homes with teal-colored pumpkins displayed outside inform trick-or-treaters that they are offering non-candy goodies. Some options include kazoos, vampire fangs, glow sticks, crayons, bubbles, and spider rings.
The movement is known as the "Teal Pumpkin Project." It was launched last year and since then has become a nationwide and world-wide tradition.
Last year the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) organization posted online that people providing allergy-free treats during Halloween should place a teal-painted pumpkin outside their home. It would inform other neighborhood families.
The post went viral. In less than three days over 2.5 million people had read it, and many parents are still sharing the information through texts, email, and social media.
Food allergies are caused when a person's immune system over-reacts to substances in certain foods, triggering an allergic reaction such as stomach-aches, hives, and trouble breathing. The most common allergens among children are milk, eggs, nuts, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish.
Many of those foods are often in the ingredients lists of candy. In addition, 1 in 13 American children suffer from the condition, so the Teal Pumpkin Project can help many youngsters enjoy safe trick-or-treating, according to Fox 28.
Parents without pumpkins or teal paint can still take part in the program. FARE has a flyer on their website that people can print out and then post on their front door, to inform trick-or-treaters that hypoallergenic goods are on hand.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that food allergies have skyrocketed in the last 18 years. They have spiked by 50 percent, according to CBS Boston.
This video explains what causes food allergies: