Taking the Tricks out of Halloween Treats

By 250 News

Tricks or treats? That's always the big question when checking the  items your kids pick up on Halloween.  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is offering some simple tips to  ensure Halloween is a safe one:

• Make sure your kids aren't snacking on the goodies before you've had a chance to give the treats a once over.  Give kids a snack or light meal before they go--don't send them out on an empty stomach.
• If the item isn't commercially wrapped, toss it.
• Discard any homemade candy or baked goods.If the children are really young, comb through the items to remove anything that might pose a choking hazard such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.
• Wash all fresh fruit thoroughly, inspect it for holes, including small punctures, and cut it open before allowing children to eat it. Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discolouration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
• Some Halloween treats may trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. Consider handing out peanut-free treats.
• If juice or cider is served to children at Halloween parties, make sure it is pasteurized or otherwise treated to destroy harmful bacteria.    

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says there is one simple line that  says it all " when in doubt, throw it out."

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