Sesame allergies have been a growing concern in our country, so last year the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research (FASTER) Act was signed into law declaring sesame as the 9th major food allergen. This means starting Jan. 1, 2023, sesame will be labeled in plain language on packaged foods in the United States to help sesame-allergic consumers.
About 90% of all food allergies are caused by foods commonly referred to as the “8 Major Food Allergens,” which will change to the “9 Major Food Allergens.” These 9 allergens are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybean and now also sesame. Among children and adults, sesame is the 9th most common food allergy. The seeds of the sesame plant are a common ingredient used in everything from baked goods to sushi.
Food allergies affect millions of people and unfortunately there isn’t a cure. When a person with a food allergy is exposed, their body reacts to proteins in the allergen and their immune system is triggered. This causes symptoms that range from mild to severe and can even be life-threatening.
Awareness is key to prevent accidental exposure, which is why Food Allergy Awareness Week was created. This year’s awareness week is May 8 – 14. The week highlights information about signs, symptoms and exposure prevention. To learn more about food allergens and how to keep yourself and those with food allergies safe, read our FAQs on food allergens.
