1) Bite-size, individually-wrapped candies may have different ingredients or be processed in different facilities than their regular-size counterparts, so don't assume they are safe just because you have previously used the regular-size candies. 2) The ingredient label on a bag of candy may differ from the ingredient labels on the individual candies inside. 3) Advisory labels such as May Contain, Processed in a Facility, and Processed on Shared Equipment are voluntary. If a candy label lacks these statements, it doesn't mean the candy is safe from potential cross-contamination with an allergen. The only way to know if your Halloween candy is safe from allergens is to contact the manufacturer. (Read "Is Your Food Really Safe?" for more information.) 4) If a product does have an allergen advisory label, the product should be avoided. Studies have shown that many of these products actually *do* contain allergens. 5) Chocolates are commonly cross-contaminated with milk, soy, peanuts or tree nuts. 6) Allowing a child to carry candies that contain their allergens can be dangerous. The wrappers can become loose and fall off the candy in their trick-or-treat bag, or children may attempt to eat the candy without you knowing. (Read Lynda Mitchell's story about how her son bit through the wrapper of a Snickers® and had an allergic reaction!) 7) Halloween dangers don't disappear that night. Be aware that other children may sneak candy to school the following week and attempt to share it. Remind your food-allergic child not to accept candy from anyone but you.

To help you celebrate a safe Halloween, check out these additional resources from KFA: 12 Tips to Make Trick-or-Treating Safer for Your Food Allergic Child Safely Celebrating Halloween at School and Home 3 Allergy-Friendly Halloween Treats (free recipes) Boo-tiful Halloween Recipes (for KFA Family Members) Download a delightful, free "Celebrating Halloween With Food Allergies"  booklet with dozens of food-free craft and game ideas, tips for trick-or-treating and allergy-free Halloween recipes. This is a great little booklet to print and share with teachers, child care providers and support group members.

Please join our first annual KFA Halloween Costume Parade Event on our Main Support Forum or on our Facebook page. Share photos of your costumed children. Three random winners will win a small prize from KFA on 11/4/09!

Over the next month, KFA will be launching new programs and publishing new materials so that 2009 will conclude as our biggest year yet. Here is a sneak peek into the new services, programs and educational materials coming your way:


Free Starter Guide to Parenting a Child with a Food Allergy Coming Soon!
We've been working on a guidebook for those dealing with a new diagnosis of food allergy for a while now, and it's done and will be available on our Web site as a free download soon!

It's 47 pages long, and we developed it in conjunction with our Medical Advisory Team. We are making it available as a free download to be of help to the largest number of families out there who are searching the Internet looking for help when their child is newly diagnosed — when they are overwhelmed, frightened and are wondering, "What will I feed my child?"

I know we've all been there at one point or another and can relate to those initial feelings. This eBook is intended to get parents started with some reliable information which will provide a foundation as they begin their new lives as a parent of a child with a food allergy.

Thanks to all of you who support KFA through Family Memberships, donations and other contributions (including in-kind and volunteer service). Your support means a lot, and makes work like this possible.

Thank you,
Lynda Mitchell
KFA President

• Oh, Nuts! — Should your child avoid all nuts if allergic to peanuts?  An interview with Scott Sicherer M.D., reveals a food allergy expert's view on this issue.
• On Trial — Three parents share their experiences about their children participating in clinical trials.
• KFA's Rising Star — Meet Oliver, an imaginative 7-year-old who doesn't let his food allergies get in his way.

Ian's Wheat Free/Gluten Free Wafflewiches will get your morning started off right!

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U.S. Allergy Recalls

• Mars Snackfood: Dove Caramel Pecan Perfection Ice Cream (undeclared peanuts)
• Nutkao: Korger Hazelnut Spread (undeclared peanuts)
• Agro Foods: Sun Dried Fruits and Nuts Tropical Mix (undeclared sulfites)
• Unilever: Breyers All Natural Cookies and Cream (undeclared wheat)
• Domega International: White Lotus Seed Paste Moon Cake (undeclared eggs)
• Hannaford Supermarkets: Taste of Inspirations Vegetable Spring Rolls (undeclared shrimp)
• Plum Organics: Apple and Carrot Portable Pouch Baby Food (potential botulism)

Canadian Allergy Recalls

• No recent recalls