Sesame Allergy: A Global Ingredient with Hidden Risks and Evolving Regulations
From hummus to sophisticated baked goods and flavorful sushi, sesame, with its unique aroma and nutritional value, has become an indispensable and versatile ingredient in foods worldwide.
However, for those with sesame allergies, this seemingly harmless ingredient can pose significant risks. Allergic reactions to sesame can range from mild skin redness and itchiness to severe respiratory distress, shock, and even life-threatening conditions.
According to relevant statistics, approximately 1 million people in the United States are allergic to sesame, a figure that cannot be ignored. Yet, for a long time, sesame was not considered one of the major food allergens in the United States, leading to considerable uncertainty for sesame-allergic consumers when purchasing food products.
To safeguard the rights of these consumers, on April 23, 2021, President Biden signed the Food Allergen Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act. This act officially designated sesame as the ninth major food allergen in the United States and mandated that all packaged foods sold in the country must clearly indicate the presence of sesame ingredients on their labels from January 1, 2023.
This measure undoubtedly provides sesame-allergic consumers with clearer and more accurate food information, enabling them to make safer purchasing decisions.
However, it is worth noting that due to the periodicity of food production and distribution, products manufactured and distributed before 2023 may still be circulating in the market and may not list sesame as a food allergen.
Therefore, sesame-allergic consumers should remain vigilant when purchasing food, carefully reading food labels to ensure their dietary safety.
Legislation on Food Allergens
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) of 2004 designated eight major allergens: milk, wheat, soy, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts, accounting for 90% of food allergies in the United States, and required disclosure on packaged foods sold in the country. However, certain foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, alcoholic beverages, fresh fruits and vegetables, and unlabeled foods were not subject to this regulation.
Prior to 2023, various regions worldwide had already required sesame to be labeled as a food allergen, whereas in the United States, it was until November 2020 that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidance recommending, but not mandating, food manufacturers to voluntarily disclose sesame ingredients, lacking enforcement and uniform oversight.
Consequently, the FASTER Act was introduced in 2021, requiring sesame to be noted on food labels for the safety of sesame-allergic individuals. Additionally, it mandates the health department to report research opportunities on food allergies and establish a scientific framework to potentially add more major food allergens in the future.
While it is unclear whether the United States will introduce a tenth major allergen, some advocates call for the clear labeling of substances such as corn, gluten, mustard, and celery. These ingredients are sometimes labeled in other regions but require further research to determine the prevalence and severity of allergies to them in the United States.
Foods Containing Sesame
Prior to the FASTER Act, sesame in U.S. food products could appear on labels under various names such as benné, gingelly oil, gomasio, halvah, sesame flour, and even hidden within “natural flavors” or “spices,” increasing the difficulty for consumers to identify.
Unlike oils such as peanut oil, which undergo high-level refining to remove allergenic proteins, sesame oil is typically not highly refined, and allergens remain, posing a risk to sesame-allergic individuals. Similarly, cold-pressed, expeller-pressed, or extruded oils (gourmet oils) also contain allergenic proteins and should be avoided by those with sesame allergies.
Non-Food Products Containing Sesame
Furthermore, sesame is not only used in food but also found in non-food items such as cosmetics, medications, nutritional supplements, perfumes, and pet foods, often labeled with its scientific name Sesamum indicum. Exposure to these products can trigger allergic reactions in sesame-allergic individuals.
However, non-food items do not have the same labeling requirements as food and are not covered by FALCPA or the FASTER Act, increasing the difficulty for allergic individuals to avoid sesame exposure. Therefore, sesame-allergic individuals must be particularly cautious, carefully reading product labels to avoid potential risks.
