You have probably heard of “The Big 8,” the eight major food allergens that cause over 90% of food-related allergic reactions. But did you know that there are now NINE major food allergens? As of January 1, 2023, the FASTER (Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research) Act became effective, adding sesame to the list of major allergens (milk, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, fish, shellfish, and soy). As a result, sesame is required to be listed as such on food and supplement labels. Although the percentage of people with a sesame allergy is low, reactions to the food can be just as severe as reactions to other allergens. Sesame can have alternate names, so in addition to “sesame,” look for the words “tahini” or “benne” on a nutrition label. Note: Sesame oil is not highly refined (in contrast to many other oils), which means the allergen is still present in the oil.
Although it isn’t an all-inclusive list, the following food items are common sources of sesame. Remember, best practice is to ALWAYS check the label, even on foods that you have used before!
Asian Dishes | Thai Dishes | Hamburger Buns | Pizza Crust |
Cookies | Wafers | Breads | Soups |
Energy Bars | Pretzels | Ice Cream | Flafel (Falafel) |
Tahini | Salad Dressings | Noodles | Pastries |
Margarine | Oils | Sushi | Medications |
Want to learn more? Check out these awesome resources.
