Teal Pumpkin Project Highlights Food Allergy Awareness This Halloween
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Teal just might be the new orange this Halloween.
As CBS 2's Elise Finch reported, teal pumpkins are popping up in place of orange ones to show support for children with food allergies.
Costumes and candy is what Halloween is all about for kids. But for kids like Nick Amandola, the day can be frightening because certain treats trigger deadly food allergies.
"I remember my throat being itchy and getting rushed to the hospital," Nick said.
"He went into anaphylaxis; his lips swelled and he needed two shots of epinephrine," Nick's mom Diane said.
The 11-year-old is allergic to dairy, eggs, beef, peanuts and tree nuts, Finch reported. That's why he and his family are participating in The Teal Pumpkin Project.
Teal is the color of food allergy awareness, and the grass-roots initiative encourages people to provide non-food treats on Halloween.
"Halloween candy does tend to include common allergens: peanuts, tree nuts, soy milk and wheat," said Veronica LaFemina, with Food Allergy Research & Education. "By providing non-food treats as well you're ensuring that every trick-or-treater who comes to your door can leave with a smile and a treat they enjoy."
Organizers suggest to still pass out all the Halloween candy that kids love, but they also ask that you offer things like glow sticks, bubbles, stickers or small toys, Finch reported.
"We need to take care of each other in our community, and this is one way we can do that. And if you can put a smile on a child's face, that's priceless," Diane Amandola said.
To participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project, simply stock up on non-food goodies, then place a teal painted pumpkin or poster outside your home so trick-or-treaters know it's a house with allergy-safe options.
The project started in Tennessee last year as a local event for one food allergy support group. This Halloween, it will launch nationwide.
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