Sesame allergy

The consumption of sesame seeds has been gaining popularity since the increase in demand for organic and oriental foods. Sesama products include sesame seeds, sesame oil, tahini and houmous, and are used in cooking, for example in oriental dishes, and in food products such as bread, biscuits, salads and sauces. Sesame kernels are also popular due to being a particularly good energy supplier, as they contain 50% fat and 17% protein.

Sesame allergies, also referred to as sesame seed allergies, are occuring more and more frequently. A sesame allergy can arise in adulthood without any prior warning, afterwards persisting throughout one’s entire life. Sesame seeds contain relatively strong allergens and the symptoms of a sesame allergy are usually very severe, thus even traces of products containing sesame are to be avoided.

You can find information on diagnosis of food allergies and intolerances here.

DELICARDO Foodcards:

We highly recommend the use of DELICARDO Foodcards for sesame allergy sufferers. When eating dishes prepared by someone else it is important that allergies and intolerances are clearly communicated to the cook and/or service personnel.

Standard DELICARDO Foodcards can be found here

To create a personalised DELICARDO Foodcard click here

Further Information:

Food Standards Agency
http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthissues/foodintolerance/foodintolerancetypes/sesame/

AllergyUK
http://www.allergyuk.org/fs_sesame.aspx

About.org
http://allergies.about.com/od/otherfoodallergies/a/sesameallergy.htm