Teresa Dupay blog

The number of people in the UK suffering with a sesame allergy is rapidly increasing. Sesame is a common ingredient in cooking oils, baked goods, salad dressings and hummus.

Research shows that people who are allergic to tree nuts (almonds, walnuts etc.) have a greater chance of having an allergic reaction to sesame.

Sesame allergy can develop at any time but it usually appears early in life. According to Robert Wood, MD director of division of paediatric allergy and immunology at Johns Hopkins University of Medicine in Baltimore, "over the past 10 to 20 years, sesame allergy has increased more rapidly than any other type of food allergy".

Hidden Sources Of Sesame Seeds

There are many food products on the market containing sesame seeds or it derivatives. Hummus has fast become a very popular food in the UK. However, it contains sesame seeds, in the form of tahini paste, which may bring on an anaphylaxis reaction.

Besides hummus, there are many food products that contain sesame, such as:

• Halvah
• Sesame seed oil
• Seed paste
• Falafel vegetable burgers
• Turkish cake
• Tahini

There are also many foods that may contain 'hidden' sesame, for example, biscuits, Aqua Libra, sauces, muesli, confectionary bars, granola, protein bars, sesame oil, processed meats, risotto and many more.

Symptoms of Sesame Allergy

Depending of the sufferer's sensitivity, there are various symptoms of sesame allergy: including asthma, itchiness, hives, abdominal pain, nausea and many more symptoms. In a few cases it may even lead to anaphylaxis, which is a life threatening condition causing instant breathing difficulties, respiratory failure, a rapid drop in blood pressure and even death.

I am currently putting together a 'Sesame Allergy Report', which you will be able to download from our website, very soon