Sesame is now a major food allergen! Let's find out exactly what this is.

What if you suddenly developed an allergy to a biscuit, sauce, or other food that didn't clearly state on the label that it contained sesame? Imagine the fear you'd feel at that moment. For some people, it might be a minor itch, but for others, it could be so severe that they couldn't breathe. Because of these risks, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the world's leading agency that makes decisions about food safety, has now officially designated sesame as a major food allergen.

What is this new change?

Simply put, starting January 1, 2023, any food produced in the United States that contains sesame will be required to clearly state that it is a allergen. Previously, only milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and tree nuts were listed as major allergens. Now, sesame has been added to that list.

Even though this is not a law in our country, it sends us a very important message. That is, sesame allergy can be much more serious than we think, and we need to be very careful about it.

"A food allergy is when our body's immune system mistakes a normally harmless food substance as an 'enemy' and reacts violently against it."

A sesame allergy is no joke!

Sesame seeds are very nutritious and delicious. They are not only found in the sesame balls, snacks, and chutneys that we eat, but also in many other things like bread, burger buns, salads, sauces, and gingerly oil. However, for someone who is allergic to sesame seeds, this can be very dangerous.

The symptoms of this allergy can vary from person to person. For some people, they may start out mild and gradually become more severe.

If any of these severe symptoms occur, it is a medical emergency . You should be taken to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.

Why is this difference so important?

You might be thinking, "So what's the point of having sesame on the label?" But the truth is, it's more complicated than that. In the past, many food manufacturers used sesame and simply listed it on the label as 'natural flavors' or 'spices.'

Imagine if someone with a severe allergy to sesame looked at a label like this and thought, "What kind of danger could it be if I ate that food because it didn't say 'sedum'?" That person had no way to make a decision about their life. They had to either call the manufacturer and ask, or take the risk and eat that food.

With this new law, that uncertainty is now gone. This is a huge win for allergy sufferers and their families.

What should we do now?

Although this law does not apply to our country, we can learn a lot from it to protect ourselves from food allergies.

1. Always read the label

When you buy something from the supermarket, make a habit of reading the ingredients list carefully. Sometimes, even things we don't think about can contain allergens, like sesame.

2. "If in doubt, don't eat"

If you have even the slightest doubt about a food, or are unsure of what it contains, it's best to avoid it. Think twice, especially if you or someone in your family has allergies.

3. Talk to your doctor

If you think you're having unusual symptoms (itching, bloating, stomach upset) after eating a certain food, be sure to talk to your doctor about it. It's very important to find out exactly what kind of allergy it is.

4. Be prepared for severe allergies

If you or your child has been diagnosed with a severe food allergy by a doctor, have a clear plan for what to do in an emergency. Ask your doctor if you need to carry emergency medication (e.g., EpiPen) and how to use it.

This information is not to scare us, but to educate us. While sesame seeds are a healthy food, it is important for our own safety to understand that they can be dangerous for some people, and to be mindful of what we eat.