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Sesame May Join Dairy and Nuts on Food Allergy Warning Labels - Gizmodo
Sesame allergies seem to be a lot more common that previously thought. According to a new study out this weekend, as many as 1.5 million Americans could be allergic to sesame, and the findings may prompt the Food and Drug Administration to require new warning labels that identify sesame in foods.
Researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago looked at nationally representative survey data involving more than 50,000 households across the country. The survey specifically asked respondents to report the foods, if any, they were allergic to, as well as if their allergy had ever been confirmed by a doctor. They were also told to report the symptoms they experienced during their most severe reaction, choosing from a list of symptoms.
Based on the responses, the team found that 0.49 percent of people reported having a food allergy to sesame. At least 0.23 percent were found to have a convincing allergy to sesame—defined as experiencing at least one very common symptom of food allergy, such as hives or a swollen throat. And another 0.11 percent reported being diagnosed with a sesame allergy by their doctors, but didn’t report one of these symptoms.
Sesame allergies seem to be a lot more common that previously thought. According to a new study out this weekend, as many as 1.5 million Americans could be allergic to sesame, and the findings may prompt the Food and Drug Administration to require new warning labels that identify sesame in foods.
Researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago looked at nationally representative survey data involving more than 50,000 households across the country. The survey specifically asked respondents to report the foods, if any, they were allergic to, as well as if their allergy had ever been confirmed by a doctor. They were also told to report the symptoms they experienced during their most severe reaction, choosing from a list of symptoms.
Based on the responses, the team found that 0.49 percent of people reported having a food allergy to sesame. At least 0.23 percent were found to have a convincing allergy to sesame—defined as experiencing at least one very common symptom of food allergy, such as hives or a swollen throat. And another 0.11 percent reported being diagnosed with a sesame allergy by their doctors, but didn’t report one of these symptoms.