Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - March/April 2024 - 33

SAY THE MAGIC WORDS...
sesame
of food allergies. The Big 8 foods
include: milk, wheat, soy, eggs, fish,
shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts. With
the FALCPA guidelines, it also required
the major food allergens be listed on
the food label, so that those who have
allergies can choose the foods that they
need to, in order to avoid a certain food
allergen(s) (Center for Food Safety and
Applied Nutrition, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, 2019) (Food Allergy &
Anaphylaxis Connection Tea, n.d.).
In 2023, it seemed like the words Open
Sesame were uttered once again and
ushered in a hidden treasure to protect
those with sesame allergies, as sesame
joined the list as the ninth major
food allergen in the United States.
The Food Allergy Safety, Treatment,
Education, and Research (FASTER) Act
of 2021 updated allergen labeling laws
to include sesame (Asthma & Allergy
Network, n.d.).
WHAT IS SESAME?
According to the Britannica
Dictionary, sesame is a plant that
is grown in warm regions of the
world and produces a small flat
seed that is used in cooking and is
a source of oil (Sesame Definition
& Meaning | Britannica Dictionary,
n.d.). Interestingly enough, sesame,
otherwise known as sesamum indicum,
has been domesticated and grown
for oil for well over 3,000 years. It is
known as the oldest oilseed crop of the
Pedaliaceae family, and it grows best
in tropical areas. The pods yield edible
seeds that have a rich, nutty flavor and
it is common in many cuisines and
cultures around the world (Wikipedia
Contributors, 2019).
What is the prevalence of sesame
allergy in the United States? According
to the Journal of the American Medical
Association, an estimated .49 percent
of the population-approximately
1.5 million Americans-reported a
current sesame allergy, however,
approximately .23 percent met
symptom-report criteria for an
Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated
allergy (severe allergy that included
an auto-immune response).
Approximately one-third reported
epinephrine use for treatment of
ON THE SCENE
BY JULIE ZIKMUND, MPH, RD, LRD
sesame allergy, with symptoms
ranging from mild (hives, rash,
wheezing, etc.) to severe (including
anaphylaxis).
Interestingly, 81.6 percent with
a sesame allergy had at least one
additional food allergy. Nearly half
of those with sesame allergy are also
allergic to peanuts, one-third are
allergic to tree nuts, one-fourth are
allergic to soy, and one-fifth are also
allergic to milk (Warren et al., 2019).
This data was alarming and supported
the writing of the FASTER Act, which
made the case for sesame to be added
to the list and become the ninth Major
Food Allergen in the United States.
WHY ARE SESAME
ALLERGIES INCREASING?
There are many theories about why
food allergies are on the increase
in the U.S. and worldwide. One of
the main ideas is that our foods
have much more of a global draw,
as many consumers are seeking
new flavors and cuisine. Growth in
global flavors that include sesame-
like hummus, tahini, spice blends,
NUTRITION & FOODSERVICE EDGE | MARCH-APRIL 2024 33
Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - March/April 2024

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