(CNN) — Never mind the candy shortage story that took the world by storm last year. A viral viral story that muddied Halloween expectations this year may just be here to stay.
Some parents have reportedly been told that there will be no peanuts or any peanuts whatsoever in Halloween candy this year — even those that are certified nut-free.
The idea seems to have started in July when the San Antonio Express-News ran a story about scientists warning that so-called “vegetable-based” candy could make some children more susceptible to allergies.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says peanuts and tree nuts are associated with food allergies, including atopic eczema and anaphylaxis.
The study said that recently passed laws in California and Vermont that require farmers to label all products that contain peanuts (including in nut-free candy) has made this an easier transition.
In any case, if you’re shopping at the checkout line this Halloween, you may be drawn to those scratch-and-sniff chocolate bars or organic almond-flavored gummy worms, but, unless you hear otherwise directly from your local retailers, you won’t be able to take home any treats that contain peanuts.
And we have to admit, it’s a dangerous scenario.
The National Center for Eczema and Allergies (www.ncea.org) says “safe peanut products containing trace amounts of peanuts and peanut-based medications” are the most effective way to stop an anaphylactic reaction.
That means antihistamines, nasal sprays, and epinephrine injectors are the safest path for a child experiencing an anaphylactic reaction to things like peanut butter, peanuts, tree nuts, tree resin and peanuts’ sprays and ointments.
And you’ll save time. (We’ll have a definitive guide on properly storing your candy after Halloween here soon.)
So, enough with the tainted candy hype. This year, just expect the lines to be long, and that the sharing will be all the rage.
