Government of Canada Reminds Canadians of Food Safety This Halloween

Information Update
2009-175
October 28, 2009
For immediate release

OTTAWA - Halloween is a fun and exciting time for children. Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency would like to remind all Canadians of some important safety tips they can use to ensure that Halloween remains an enjoyable experience for everyone.

The excitement of Halloween can often make children forget some of the important safety rules they have learned. Parents or caregivers are encouraged to remind them not to accept - and especially not to eat - anything that isn't commercially wrapped. An adult should also always inspect the goodies before children start snacking. A few tips to keep in mind before your children start indulging in the goodies are:

• Discard homemade candy or baked goods.
• Remove choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys when young children are involved.
• Wash fresh fruit thoroughly, inspect for holes, including small punctures, and cuts, before allowing your children to eat it.
• Throw out any treats that are not wrapped, those in torn or loose packages, or any that have small holes in the wrappers.

Some Halloween treats may also contain ingredients that can cause severe adverse reactions in individuals who have allergies or sensitivities. These treats often include ingredients like peanuts, tree nuts, milk and egg - some of the most common food allergens. Parents or caregivers of children with food allergies should exercise caution by reading labels carefully for all treats and by avoiding candies that do not have an ingredient list.

More information about Halloween Food Safety is available from:

• The Government of Canada's Halloween Food Safety Tip Sheet
• It's Your Health on Halloween Safety

-30-

---

Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709