Food allergies are a growing public health issue in Canada, there are no cures and avoidance of allergenic food is the only option. The incidence is highest among young children (under 3 years of age) with close to 6- 8% affected by food allergy.
This can make Halloween a difficult time with most candies containing ingredients that can cause harm to those allergic. But there is a solution to help with this problem, and it starts with painting a pumpkin teal.
It’s called the Teal Pumpkin Project, created to help kids who trick or treat and suffer from allergies to have another option. The project was started in the United States but has made it’s way to Canada.
“The project is there to raise awareness of a growing issue but also give those kids who are out there trick or treating the option of non-food items to like stickers, glow sticks or pencils.” Says Casandra Whiteside a London, Ontario resident who has been pushing for the project in the area for a couple years.
The colour teal is to bring awareness to allergies and make Halloween a less challenging time for allergy sufferers. The project has been gaining ground in London according to Casandra Whiteside.
“There are more houses for sure in the Old East Village Area that are partaking in the initiative, my friends, and co-workers are all very supportive as well,” says Casandra.
For more information in the project or if you will like to make a donation to the project you can visit the Teal Pumpkin Project website.
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