Could You Be Allergic to Sesame Seeds?
Eight types of allergens must be listed on food labels: milk, soy, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, fish, and shellfish. But new research shows sesame allergies are more common than some tree nut allergies.
The new study used a representative survey of more than 50,000 households at the national level to find out if they are allergic to sesame seeds and what symptoms they have. (People whose symptoms matched their self-reported were considered “persuasive” sesame allergies, but there is some confusion here because the researchers didn’t test people for allergies, they just asked survey questions.) Extrapolating to the entire US, The authors estimate about a million of Americans are allergic to sesame seeds.
Sesame does not have to be listed on food labels, so foods can sometimes contain sesame without showing it in the ingredient list; it may be part of the “natural flavors” or “spices” that do not need to be specified. (The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology notes that mustard seeds are another common allergen.)
Therefore, if you develop allergy symptoms after consuming sesame-containing foods, you can talk to your doctor about it. Symptoms of a food allergy may include vomiting or stomach cramps, hives, shortness of breath, constriction in the throat, swelling of the lips or tongue, and other symptoms, including anaphylaxis, which can be fatal. If this sounds familiar, you can start by reading the ACAAI Food Allergy Fact Sheet.