How nonfood Halloween giveaways can help children with allergies

From kansascity.com

Children with alpha-gal syndrome may face allergy risks from common Halloween candy ingredients, making alternative treats an important consideration for families and communities. 

The condition is linked to bites from lone star ticks, according to a community announcement. People with alpha-gal syndrome can experience allergic reactions when they eat or are exposed to mammalian meat and certain animal-derived by-products. Symptoms can range from mild reactions to anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.

Many traditional Halloween treats contain ingredients that may trigger concerns for those with the condition. Chocolate candies often include milk, butter or casein. Some gummy candies contain gelatine or carrageenan, while treats made with marshmallows also may not be suitable for some individuals, depending on their sensitivities. 

DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN USA TODAY Network, Reuters

Vegan treats may offer safer options 

Products labelled vegan are more likely to be appropriate because they do not contain animal-derived ingredients. Potential options include vegan chocolate products, fruit chews, licorice, hard candies and candied fruits or nuts. Consumers are encouraged to review ingredient labels carefully for ingredients that could cause reactions.

Nonfood treats can increase Halloween access

Nonfood giveaways can help children with food allergies participate more fully in Halloween activities, particularly at larger community events. 

Suggested alternatives include stickers, temporary tattoos, small toys, glow sticks and Halloween-themed school supplies. 

The approach also supports the Teal Pumpkin Project, according to the announcement. The initiative encourages households and organizations to offer nonfood treats to help make Halloween more accessible for children with allergies. 

Participants display a teal-coloured pumpkin, decoration or light to signal that nonfood options are available. More information is available through the Teal Pumpkin Project at www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/teal-pumpkin-project. 

This story was produced with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

https://www.kansascity.com/news/article317680031.html

The Halloween candy and treats that are accidentally vegan (and easy swaps for everything else)

From creators.yahoo.com

By Robin Raven

From chocolate chip swaps to tangerine pumpkins, three vegan authors shared the easy tricks (and store-bought finds) that make Halloween sweet for everyone

Vegan Halloween treats don't mean giving up the sugar rush. With a few swaps, nearly any Halloween favourite can be made vegan, whether it's for trick-or-treaters, a party spread, or a bowl of something sweet during a scary movie. Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, which means more parties and more reasons to have a plan.

Marla Rose, author of Fun, Festive and Fabulous: Vegan Holidays for Everyone, told me, "The joy of celebrating Halloween or any other special occasion isn't diminished as a vegan; it's only amplified. With just some simple swaps, it's not only possible to create all the fun you remember from holidays past but easy and delicious."

Start with simple ingredient swaps like vegan chocolate chips

It's easy to make treats like pumpkin muffins with oats, dry cranberry and pecan nuts, without any animal-based ingredients.

(Elena Veselova / Shutterstock)

Many popular Halloween recipes are already almost vegan. Rose suggested starting with a simple swap, like using vegan chocolate chips in a recipe that calls for traditional ones. The texture and baking behaviour of vegan chocolate chips should be the same as any other chocolate chips, so the rest of the recipe doesn't need to change. Enjoy Life and Simple Truth Organic are just two of the brands that make vegan chocolate chips.

The same logic applies to other pantry staples. A flax egg in place of a chicken egg or vegan butter in place of dairy butter works in most cookie, brownie, and bar recipes without any other adjustments.

Turn fruit into tangerine pumpkins, banana ghosts, and Frankenstein cups

Halloween cute pumpkin orange fruit with gummy candy stem that also works with celery as the top stem for the healthiest option.

(Stephanie Frey / Shutterstock)

"One healthy vegan option is to gently peel tangerines, leaving them whole, and place a tiny stick of celery in the middle so it looks like a cute little pumpkin!" said Jackie Day, author of The Vegan Way, a bestselling guide to going vegan.

Halved bananas with chocolate chip "ghost eyes" are a Halloween snack kids can assemble themselves, and they're vegan without any substitutions.

(Shah Gardazi / Shutterstock)

Bananas work just as well. Halve peeled bananas and set each piece with the curved side facing up, then press two raisins or chocolate chips into each one as "ghost eyes." The result is a fruit ghost that's far from spooky.

For a Frankenstein fruit cup, fill a small clear cup with green grapes and tuck in a few berries as the eyes and nose. Alternatively, layer orange slices, cantaloupe, and blackberries in a cup for a fruit salad in Halloween colours. Kids probably won't notice that these snacks are healthier than candy, and they're just as fun to serve to adults at a party. There's no age limit on cute fruit.

Swap dairy for oat milk or another plant-based milk

Oat milk replaces dairy milk cup for cup in most baking recipes and in a pumpkin spice latte, and most guests won't notice the swap.

(Nata Bene / Shutterstock)

Oat milk is one of the most popular plant-based milks, and it can replace dairy milk cup for cup in most recipes. That's good news for vegans, and anyone who is lactose intolerant will appreciate it, too. Better yet, the non-vegans in the group probably won't notice the substitution. Oat milk is delicious in a pumpkin spice latte or in any cookie or cake recipe that calls for milk. Other plant-based milks to consider include coconut, almond, flax, hemp, and walnut milk.

Stock up on Halloween candy that's already vegan

Colourful skittles candies close up.

(Au_Cr / Shutterstock.com)

Finding Halloween candy that's already vegan isn't difficult. Jasmin Singer, author of The VegNews Guide to Being a Fabulous Vegan and the memoir Always Too Much and Never Enough, said, "It's not hard finding vegan Halloween candy. VegNews offers a comprehensive vegan Halloween candy guide for those who are curious." The guide is updated every year, and the 2026 edition is already out.

Package of plant-based vegan Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

(melissamn / Shutterstock.com)

Accidentally vegan candies that are easy to find at any drugstore include Red Vines, Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, Skittles, Twizzlers, Dots, and Airheads. For a candy bar fix, Go Max Go makes vegan versions of the classics, and brands like No Whey! Foods, Unreal, and YumEarth sell Halloween-sized bags. Even Hershey's and Reese's now offer plant-based versions of their best sellers. 

As always, check the label: gelatine, milk, carmine, and confectioner's glaze are the usual non-vegan ingredients hiding in candy. Recipes also change, and the same brand can use different ingredients in different countries, so this list reflects U.S. products as of VegNews's 2026 guide. Some vegans avoid sugar processed with bone char, which labels don't disclose; if that's a concern, check with the manufacturer before buying in bulk.

https://creators.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/the-halloween-candy-and-treats-that-are-accidentally-vegan-and-easy-swaps-for-everything-else-124558936.html 

USA: One of the Best Vegan Treats of the Summer Is, Randomly, Thanks to the Minions

From vegnews.com 

Moviegoers can now enjoy limited-edition dairy-free Minions-themed ice cream from Klimon at select theatres, alongside a vegan-friendly Banana Blast ICEE

Minions and Monsters has officially hit the big screen, and if you’re heading to the theatre to watch it soon, you might be in for an extra special, dairy-free treat. Plant-based ice cream brand Klimon has partnered with Universal to offer limited-edition Minions-themed ice creams in select theatres across the country.

The new flavours include Banana Ooh Na-Na (which features banana ice cream, fudge brownie chunks, and fudge swirl); Bello Politon (vanilla ice cream with chocolate cookie crumbles and strawberry swirl); Ooey Gooey! (salted chocolate ice cream with walnuts, marshmallows, and caramel swirl) and Maple Mayhem (with maple syrup, graham cracker crumbles, and hickory-smoked sea salt).

Klimon’s Banana! Scream Pie, which launched last year, will also be available in regular and mini versions.

                                                                                                                                  Klimon

Making vegan ice cream mainstream

Klimon (which, fun fact, reads “no milk” backward) launched back in 2022, with a major Walmart debut of five different almond-based flavours: Morning Brew, Caramel Brûlée, Cherry Bomb, Mint Condition, and Sunrise Bang.

At the time, founder Alex Cotraviwat said: “We are so proud to be partnering with Walmart for the launch of our brand, and to continue to leave our mark on the plant-based food revolution.”

Since then, it has gone from strength to strength. In 2023, it hit Costco shelves, and then in 2024, it expanded into 7-Eleven. In 2026, it partnered with Tacotarian to serve up dairy-free ice cream sandwiches at the Sick New World festival in Las Vegas. 

“Together, we’re proving that indulgence doesn’t need dairy – and that plant-based desserts can be the star of the menu,” said Cotraviwat.

                                                                                                                                        Klimon

More Dairy-free Minions treats

Klimon’s new ice creams aren’t the only dairy-free treats available to Minions and Monsters fans. ICEE has also launched a new dairy-free Banana Blast ICEE for the occasion.

“Summer movie season and ICEE go hand in hand, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring fans a flavour inspired by one of the most beloved franchises in theatres,” said Kimmra Hingher, vice president of Marketing at ICEE. 

“Banana Blast is a fun nod to the Minions’ favourite treat, and we can’t wait for moviegoers to enjoy it while experiencing the joy, laughter, and mayhem of Illumination’s Minions & Monsters on the big screen.”

The new Banana Blast ICEE is available at several movie theatres across the country, including Regal Cinemas, Cinemark, and Marcus Theatres. You can find Klimon’s dairy-free frozen desserts at Coming Attractions Theatres, Starlight Cinemas, Regency Theatres, Metropolitan Theatres, and other participating movie theatres across the country.

https://vegnews.com/minions-summer-treats

Dairy-Free Cheesecake Bites: Decadent, Snackable Bites with Oat Cream

From trendhunter.com

Daiya's Dairy-Free Cheesecakes are a favourite for their decadent filling and artisanal crust, and now, for snackers who are looking for a sweet treat that's more convenient to enjoy on the go, the company specializing in plant-based alternatives launched Dairy-Free Cheesecake Bites. Available in Original, Chocolate and Strawberry Flavoured varieties, these poppable bites come in at just 100 calories per serving, and wrap the brand's signature, free-from cream cheese featuring Oat Cream in a decadent dark chocolatey coating.

Little treat culture has become a genuine wellness ritual for many, rooted in the belief that small, intentional indulgences are not a guilty pleasure but a necessary act of self-care in an otherwise demanding day. Straight from the freezer, Daiya's dipped bites instantly create a micro-moment of joy.

Trend Themes

1. Dairy-free Indulgence — Plant-based dessert formats are expanding beyond compromise products into decadent treats that mirror premium dairy experiences through oat cream, chocolate coatings, and artisanal textures.
2. Snackable Self-care — Small frozen sweets are becoming wellness-adjacent rituals, creating space for portioned indulgence that fits into busy routines without the guilt associated with full-size desserts.
3. Freezer-to-go Treats — Convenient bite-sized formats are reshaping frozen desserts by making traditionally sit-down products more accessible for quick snacking, sharing, and controlled calorie occasions.

Industry Implications

1. Plant-based Foods — Alternative dairy brands have room to differentiate through richer ingredient systems and familiar dessert formats that appeal to both vegan consumers and flexitarian snackers.
2. Frozen Desserts — Premium frozen treats are shifting toward miniaturized, ready-to-eat portions that combine convenience, indulgence, and flavour variety in formats suited to everyday consumption.
3. Snack Foods — The rise of little treat culture positions sweet snacks as emotional comfort products, opening space for brands to blend indulgent flavours with dietary inclusivity and portion awareness.

https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dairyfree-cheesecake-bites 

Veganuary 2026: 10 common items you didn't know were vegan

From dorsetecho.co.uk

Whether you're taking part in the annual Veganuary pledge or you're just looking to cut down on your meat consumption, finding some vegan alternatives can have huge health benefits. 

Vegan foods aren't all cocoa balls and tofu - you'll be surprised to know that some of these everyday items actually contain no animal products. 

Here are 10 items you'll be surprised to know are vegan: 

Marmite

The entire Marmite range is vegan, and certified by the European Vegetarian Union (EVU), except for the 70g jar.

The 70g jar is currently only vegetarian – though Marmite are in the process of moving towards vegan approval from the EVU.

It is made primarily from yeast, and though this isn’t a plant, it isn’t an animal either. As such, with no other animal-derived ingredients added.

McVitie's Hobnobs

All Hobnobs are vegan, including most own-brand oat biscuits. 

However, the chocolate biscuits are usually not vegan - although the McVitie's Choc Chip are surprisingly vegan.

They use soya lecithin, cocoa mass and fat-reduced cocoa powder, but no milk or milk proteins.

Oreos

The makers of Oreos state on their website that they cannot categorise these popular cookies as vegan because of the possibility of cross contact with milk products.

However, Oreos do not contain any animal-derived ingredients and are safe to eat for vegans.

Guinness

Since 2015, Guinness has been 100 per-cent vegan.

The beer manufacturers, Diageo changes the filtration process so that it no longer includes isinglass (a kind of gelatine obtained from fish). 

Starburst

Many Stabursts across the globe contain gelatine, made from animal collagen, however UK manufactured Starbursts do not. 

Vegans should be careful to ensure they are eating Starbursts from the UK as many shops surprisingly sell important sweets from the UK that contain animal products. 

Crumpets

Although for some people this could seem obvious, many of us will be surprised to learn that most shop-bought crumpets are vegan.

The quintessentially British snack contains no dairy products, contrary to popular belief. 

Cream crackers

One of the most surprising revelations is that this buttery and creamy cracker actually contains no dairy. 

The word 'cream' is derived from the manufacturing process so the crackers are completely vegan friendly. 

Ice Cream

In recent years there have been lots of vegan ice cream brands appearing in the supermarket freezers, they are so good in fact that it's hard to tell the difference.

Including Chunky Monkey, Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Cookie Dough by Ben and Jerry's as well as Swedish Glace by Walls.

Lotus biscuit spread

Not only are Lotus Biscoff biscuits vegan, their Biscoff spread is also vegan and makes a delicious vegan cheesecake. 

Pasta

Most dry pasta is not made using eggs, instead it's made with durum wheat and semolina - making it fine for vegans.

Fresh pasta however usually contains eggs, so if you're not eating foods containing animal products you should be sure to check the packaging on fresh pasta. 

https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/25718931.veganuary-2026-10-common-items-didnt-know-vegan/