Sesame Has Been Added to the FDA’s Allergen Labeling Guidelines

Sesame (til) has been a part of our diet since the dawn of time. We use sesame seeds in a variety of foods, including hummus, chutney, ladoo, and curries, to name a few.
The ingredient not only adds flavor and texture to cuisine, but also provides a good source of vitamins, iron, zinc, and other minerals.

But did you know that sesame seeds can also cause allergies? Sesame is an allergen, just as are tree nuts, milk, and so on. As a result, the US Food and Drug Administration has chosen to include sesame seeds on the list of significant food allergens.

The FDA has been debating whether to include sesame seeds on the list of serious food allergies for several years. “By adding sesame to the list of major food allergens, items containing sesame will be subject to special food allergen regulatory requirements, including those pertaining to labeling and manufacture,” the report states.

Sesame Allergy Symptoms

Sesame allergies can affect people of all ages. The following are the most prevalent symptoms of sesame allergy:

• 
  Rash
• Itching
• Swelling in the lips, tongue, mouth, throat, or around the eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Drop in blood pressure

What Causes Sesame Allergy and how to Avoid it

Sesame allergy is caused by eating foods containing sesame seeds, sesame flour, and sesame seed oil, according to several studies.
Sesame allergy is usually caused by eating foods that contain sesame seeds, sesame flour, or sesame seed oil. “The immune system overreacts to proteins found in sesame-containing foods, initiating the allergic reaction,” reads a report in the Journal of Asthma and Allergy. It is also said that once affected, over 70 percent of people remain sensitive to sesame for their whole lives (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Sesame seed and sesame seed oil contain masked allergens of growing importance

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