Friday, April 24, 2009

Colored candy bliss, or nightmare

As we wind down the week with beautiful weather, I am absolutely grateful for thinking ahead. My son was set to go to "take you son to work day. " I encouraged my husband to ask what snacks they were going to have for the kids. You would not believe the colored sugar bliss that awaited! There was a whole bag of candy for each child. There was so much Red 40 and the like I had to take a picture of it all. On the left were the ones without dye, then the obviously dye laden lot on the right


Luckily, since we got the bag a day ahead and knew the other kids would have candy galore, I was able to make a quick trip to Trader Joes and get lots of safe choices for my son. We replaced the "bad stuff" with with natural candies. He had Trader Joes' Gummy Tummies, rolled candy and organic lollipops. The funny part was, he didn't even eat half of the candy I sent. Most of it came back home. He's never been one to overdo it on the sweets. I was just so glad he didn't have the disappointment of emptying out a whole bag, only to end up with one or two allowable things.

4 comments:

Violets said...

Perhaps that's why they limit it to once a year...and some people dread it...

Why on earth wouldn't they want the bags stuffed with nourishing food that might actually fill those little tummies? Like crackers, and snack bars?

Mom4Change said...

It's so hard that our children are offered so much candy. Wouldn't it be great if it was with parental agreement? I think that the brown tootsie pop can also have red dye 40. To make brown colors sometimes they mix it with red 40. I could be wrong.

food dye diaries said...

I think you're right. It's not listed on the ingredients and it has seemed OK in the past when I have let them have the chocolate ones, but boy oh boy did we ever have a weekend of trouble.

Mom4Change said...

I am sorry to hear of your misfortune. As far as candy is concerned we don't take any chances. I buy the candy surf sweets from Toys R Us. We all do the best we can, but it manages to work its way in, doesn't it? I feel sorry for the kids. You are doing an excellent job by the way! :)