Even the most impressive Halloween spread needs to be safe to eat. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises keeping perishable foods chilled until they’re ready to serve and avoiding raw cookie dough or cake batter containing uncooked eggs or unbaked flour.
Cream-filled desserts, cheese platters, and other foods that need refrigeration shouldn’t be left sitting out all evening. A Halloween party should be memorable for the costumes and snacks, not an unexpected visit from a stomach bug.
Food allergies are another thing to keep in mind, especially when preparing treats for children or guests whose dietary needs you may not know. Milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, and sesame are among the major food allergens identified by the FDA.
Make sure to check ingredient labels, keep packaging available for guests to inspect, and clearly identify foods that contain common allergens. If you’re preparing several dishes, using separate utensils can also help prevent ingredients from accidentally mixing.
Now, Pandas, it’s time to decide which of these Halloween delicacies deserves a place on your party table. Which treat would you happily gobble up, and which one would have you backing away from the buffet? Tell us in the comments!
And if you have a Halloween snack idea that’s frighteningly good, share it with us because there’s always room for one more treat, even if it looks like it escaped from a monster’s kitchen.
