Teal Pumpkin Project: My son is not trying to ruin your Halloween!

On Friday millions of children across the world will be filling their tummies with trick or treat chocolate.

My son won’t, as it could kill him.

J is anaphylactic to milk and even touching chocolate brings him out in nasty big hives. He is also allergic to nuts and egg so most regular cakes and cookies are out too.

J dressed as a Pumpkin for his 1st Halloween

This doesn’t mean we will be missing out on Halloween though. We have bought his costume, carved our Pumpkin and hung our decorations ready to go. But it does mean that traditional trick or treating doesn’t really work for him.

Teal pumpkin project

That’s why I am excited to hear about the Teal Pumpkin Project.

It is a campaign run by American food allergy group FARE to encourage people to offer non-food treats at Halloween as well. People paint a pumpkin teal (my favourite colour!) and leave it outside their house to show they have different treats available.

I think this is a wonderful idea and hope it catches on in the UK.

Hijacking Halloween

However, there have been some shocking responses to this innocent and inclusive campaign claiming it is trying to destroy Halloween, stop everyone else eating chocolate and ruin everyone’s fun.

I would just like to clear this up now:

MY SON IS NOT TRYING TO RUIN YOUR HALLOWEEN

And nor is any other child suffering from food allergies. They don’t care if you smother yourself in chocolate and roll around in nuts, they just wish they could too.

I can only assume that this vitriolic outcry is coming from people who are lucky enough not to have a friend or family member with allergies. People that are unaware of the everyday difficulties and life-threatening consequences.

Luckily, for every outraged allergy-hater there are many more who are embracing the campaign. And let’s face it, as well as being safe and inclusive for everyone it’s got be better for their teeth and tummies too!