Gluten Free Halloween – Tips & Treats

Have a child with Celiac Disease? It’s still possible for them to enjoy a Gluten Free Halloween. This post will share with you treats they can enjoy, candies to avoid, and a fun activity for switching out the candy your gluten free child cannot eat. 

Halloween Should Be Fun for Everyone

Every child should be able to enjoy Halloween. Regardless of dietary or physical limitations, I want to make sure no child is left out. I also offer options, and allow kids to pick what goes in their tote bag. Children feel valued when they’re allowed to choose. 

Whether you have a child who lives with Celiac Disease, or you’re a citizen looking to offer Gluten Free Halloween candy options, I want to share some tips to help make this year a success. Click on any of the topics in the table of contents, and it will jump to that section. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to ask in the comment section, and I’ll get back to you! 

Table of Contents

• Teal Pumpkin Project
• Accommodating Additional Food Allergies
• Top 9 Allergen Free Treats
• Gluten Free & Peanut Free Treats
• Additional Gluten Free Candy
• Candies to AVOID
• Warnings about Fun Size Candies and Malt
• The Switch Witch

The Teal Pumpkin Project

The Teal Pumpkin Project started in 2012. Becky Basalone, “the director of a local Tennessee food allergy support group, first had the bright idea of painting a pumpkin teal, the color of food allergy awareness, and handing out non-food items.” (From Allergic Living) Since then, it has expanded across the United States and to other countries. Want to participate? Visit the FARE Teal Pumpkin Project website to add your house to the map, and find other resources. 

The Importance of Non-Food Items

In addition to Celiac Disease and food allergies, there are other children who benefit from non-food items. Children with diabetes might prefer non-food items, that won’t impact their blood sugar. Children with Prader – Willi Syndrome (whose bodies never tell them that they are full), benefit from non-food items as well. In addition, non-food items last longer than a piece of candy, and can allow kids to be creative. 

**Note- Please know some craft items contain wheat, like PlayDoh. Read Celiac Mama’s post on Art Supplies that Contain Gluten for more information. 

Non Food Ideas Include:

• pencils
• erasers
• temporary tattoos
• bubbles
• glow bracelets
• stickers
• mini coloring books
• crayons
• books 
• more ideas from FARE

Items to Avoid

• PlayDoh (contains wheat)

Accommodating Additional Food Allergies

The Food Allergen Labeling Consumer Protection Act requires the labeling of the following 9 food allergens: Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Eggs, Dairy, Wheat, Shellfish, Fish, Soy and Sesame. (This does NOT include barley or rye, which also contain gluten.) Thankfully, there are many companies who intentionally create candy and other treats free from the top 9 food allergies. Options include:

Top 9 Allergen Free Treats

• Enjoy Life Foods      (seasonal items available online and in select stores)
• No Whey Chocolates (order from their website)
• Amanda’s Own Chocolates (order online)
• Free 2 B Cups            (order online) 
• Surf Sweets                (order from their website)
• Yum Earth                 (available at Target)
• Made Good Foods   (available at Costco)
• The Froot Thief        (available at Costco)
• Rule Breaker Snacks (order online)
• Cybele’s Cookies      (at Walmart & Whole Foods)

Child’s Play Candy / Tootsie Roll Brand – 

The following candies are produced in a gluten free and peanut free facility. 

• Tootsie Roll
• Fruit Chews
• Pops
• Dots
• Caramel Apple Pops
• Sugar Babies
• Charms Blow Pops
• Double Bubble
• Candy Corn Pops
• Wack-O-Wax lips

Other Gluten Free Halloween Candy / Treat Options

• Applesauce Cups
• Fruit Snacks
• Butterfinger
• Hershey Gluten Free Candy List – NO seasonal shapes, NO mini Hershey bars (only 1.55 oz)
• Reese’s Frankencups
• York Peppermint Patties
• Peeps
• Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
• Skittles
• Sour Patch Kids
• Starburst
• Swedish Fish

This list is not exhaustive, and ingredients can change. Make sure to read labels on all candy. When in doubt, go without. Remember that Twizzlers are NOT gluten free. 

Candies to AVOID because of Malt 

In addition to candy like Kit Kat and Twix that contain wheat, people with Celiac Disease need to avoid malt. Malt is made from barley, and is not gluten free. In addition, an important reminder that the NIMA gluten sensor cannot test for the presence of malt. Please do not solely rely on it for gluten free food safety. ALWAYS read labels.

These candies contain malt:

• 100 Grand
• Nestle Crunch
• Hershey Krackel
• Whatchamacallit 
• Milky Way
• Mars Bar
• Whoppers
• Crispy M&M’s
• Lindt Chocolate
• Kellogg’s Rice Krispie Treats (Aldi store brand are gluten free)

Rules on Allergens vs Gluten / Fun Size Ingredient Lists

Remember, barley and malt are not one of the top 9 food allegens. The Food Allergy Labeling Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requires wheat to be labeled on all food items. This is not true of barley malt. In addition, fun size candy bars are not required to print the entire ingredient list on the individual candy bars. The ingredient list requirement only pertains to the larger package they come in. Therefore, if you’re unsure if a piece of candy contains gluten, look it up online before consuming. 

The Switch Witch

What happens to all the non gluten free candy your child can’t eat? One option is the The Original Switch Witch. This special set of children’s book and plush toy tells the story of The Switch Witch, who trades your candy for alternative gifts.

The owners of The Switch Witch support causes such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the  Teal Pumpkin Project. You can order the book and plush toy together, or just the book on its own. 

What other questions and concerns do you have about having a safe Gluten Free Halloween? Tell / ask me in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to answer your questions!