Halloween food safety tips

Halloween is all about snacks and candy, but there may be some hidden food safety dangers to trick-or-treating on Halloween that parents and children should be aware of.

Here are some food safety tips to follow in order to have a happy Halloween. Children should not go trick-or-treating on an empty stomach. This will help prevent snacking on any candy while they are out. Children should wait until they get home and have their parents inspect their candy before they eat it. Homemade treats or baked goods should be discarded. Treats should always be commercially wrapped. Inspect treats for any signs of tampering, such as unusual appearance, discoloration, pinholes or tears. Discard candy with open or torn wrapping. Adults should remove any choking hazards for small children like peanuts, hard candies or small toys. Take extra care if your child has allergies. Check food labels and avoid candy without a label that lists what’s in the candy.

For Halloween parties, make sure juice is pasteurized. If having food catered, make sure you work with a reputable food company that uses properly working chafing dishes to keep hot food hot. Hot food should be kept above 140 F. Keep cold foods cold. Make sure you have plenty of room in your refrigerator to store cold foods before, during and after the party. Cold foods should be kept at 40 F or below.

If bringing food to a party or preparing your own food, make sure to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Choose simple dishes that can either be put into a refrigerator or transported in a cooler. Food like cold, precooked meatballs and chicken wings can be reheated to 140 F or hotter in a microwave oven. Wash fresh fruit and vegetables before serving or preparing.