Abstract

Epidemiology of the Sesame Allergen

Food Allergies (FA) are a major health concern as they affect 8% of children and 12.5% of adults in the United States(1-3). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified the top eight allergens that companies must label when manufacturing food products. These allergens are peanut, milk, shellfish, tree nut, egg, soy, fin fish, and wheat. Sesame, however, is not listed as one of these major food allergens despite being considered a life-threatening food allergen. This study was performed to better understand the prevalence of sesame allergy in the US. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 51,819 US households, obtaining responses for 78,853 adults and children between October 2015 and September of 2016. These eligible participants were recruited through NORC at University of Chicago’s AmeriSpeak Panel. The prevalence of the sesame allergy increased 3-fold in the US over the course of 8 years. Hispanics, African-Americans, individuals with comorbid conditions, and individuals with parental comorbid conditions are at increased risk of developing a sesame allergy. Individuals who suspect having a sesame allergy should get tested in order to maintain good quality of life. These findings support legislative initiatives to include sesame as the 9th major food allergen.