As Halloween draws near, many readers are looking for ways to avoid escalating the issues of childhood obesity in the U.S.—approximately 1 in 5 children and teenagers are now affected by obesity—and child labor prevalent in cacao farming throughout the world.
Recent findings indicate that around 1.56 million children work under child labor conditions in cocoa production mostly in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, accounting for nearly 60% of the world’s cocoa. Additionally, the plastic wrappers from all the candy will inevitably end up in landfills and oceans. You likely don’t want to be the house that gets toilet-papered for distributing fruit on Halloween.
Are there alternative options?
The Issue
Complicated corporate frameworks obscure the true practices of candy manufacturers.
CSRHub places Mars, the world’s largest candy producer, in the 85th percentile regarding corporate social responsibility metrics among food companies. They highlight Nestlé’s complicated history involving Sudan and its use of genetically modified ingredients, yet it ranks high in the 94th percentile overall. Notably, Nestlé Malaysia reaches a remarkable 96th percentile, while Nestlé Côte d’Ivoire lags significantly behind at the 21st percentile.
The U.S. Department of Labor notes that while children in Côte d’Ivoire may be experiencing better living conditions, many still endure severe child labor situations in cocoa and coffee farming, occasionally due to human trafficking. The scariest aspect of Halloween could be the goodies you hand out to trick-or-treaters.
Sustainable Treats
Not all store-bought treats have to be dreadful. Certain healthier snacks can still feel like treats to children while being individually wrapped for convenient distribution. For instance, CLIF offers certified organic, non-GMO snack bars and fruit leather options. Likewise, MySuperSnack granola bites are crafted from organic ingredients and are free from peanuts and tree nuts.
Parents might be tempted to snag some of Justin’s peanut butter cups, which are also certified organic and sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. Additionally, Endangered Species Bug Bites are not shaped like bugs but are made from ethically traded and sustainably grown cacao, paired with insect trading cards.
Homemade Goodies
Currently, the FDA advises against allowing children to consume any candy that doesn’t come in commercial packaging, suggesting even store-bought candies be scrutinized for potential tampering. Whether this caution stems from excessive paranoia or lobbying by the candy industry is debatable, but one thing remains clear: The only recorded incident of someone distributing poisoned or drugged Halloween treats was a dentist in California who handed out laxatives back in 1959. This urban legend has been widely debunked, yet it persists.
Homemade treats often prove healthier than their commercial counterparts. Additionally, they help restore a sense of community amidst the commercialization of holidays.
Secure homemade snacks to ensure they stay safe and clean in trick-or-treaters’ bags. Consider using tiny furoshiki to eliminate plastic wrap. Furthermore, since homemade goodies are rare these days, it’s wise to include a note detailing the ingredients along with your contact information to reassure parents about your creations. You might even link to evidence supporting the notion that poisoned treats are a myth. If you’re preparing treats at home, always follow food safety protocols to avoid adding to the fear surrounding homemade snacks.
Alternative Non-Food Items
Although candy has become synonymous with treats to prevent Halloween “tricks,” this is a relatively recent tradition. Up through the 1950s, children collected coins just as often as they received candy while going door-to-door. Nowadays, many children accumulate more candy than they can possibly consume. While coins might not hold the same appeal to kids, appropriately interesting prizes may be more appreciated than another candy bar.
Nonfood goodies like pencils and crayons are always useful. Seed packets are also an unusual and eco-friendly option; opting for indoor plants is prudent, given that few things are likely to sprout outside after Halloween. While glow sticks do create some waste and carry slight toxicity, phthalate-free versions exist, and they help ensure children remain visible during trick-or-treating, protecting them from the significant dangers of Halloween—traffic accidents. Add excitement by letting kids rummage through a treasure box to select their own prizes. Just steer clear of inexpensive plastic toys that will likely end up in landfills.
This article was originally published on October 23, 2018, with updates made to links in October 2021.
