Testimonies Needed – Help Fix the Addition of Sesame in Bread Products September 27, 2023

If you or a loved one has experienced an allergic reaction due to sesame added food products since January 2023, we need to hear from you!

As you may be aware, some food manufacturers have begun adding small amounts of sesame to previously safe food products. This addition has mainly been seen in bread products (including sliced bread, buns, rolls, bread crumbs, croutons, etc) and typically found in the form of sesame flour or sesame oil. This issue has severely limited the number of safe bread products for those with a sesame allergy. Not only has this affected individuals and families in the supermarket, the changes are being made by large scale suppliers like those that cater to school systems, universities, restaurants, hotels, event spaces, and hospitals.

Food manufacturers, particularly bakers, are adding sesame in response to the FASTER Act (Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act – passed in April 2021). Among other things, this was designed to protect individuals living with food allergies by making it easier for them to identify what is in the food they buy and eat. The FASTER Act declared sesame as a high priority allergen (“Top 9” allergen) which requires it to be clearly labeled by its common name on ingredient lists. Sesame can no longer be hidden under general terms such as “spices,” “natural flavors,” or “flavoring” and it must be labeled by its recognizable name.

Since the law was enacted on January 1, 2023, there have been reports of manufacturers adding trace amounts of sesame (typically sesame flour) to their products. Unsurprisingly, many people are having reactions. If you or someone you know has had a reaction to the addition of sesame in a product, please read on.

The addition of trace amounts of sesame has occurred under the radar of many, including those in service industries as well as patients themselves. A change in recipe often takes place without warning or fanfare, making a brand that was previously safe suddenly unsafe for those with food allergies. Not only are manufacturers adding sesame, but they are adding a more potent form of sesame – as ground sesame (such as in flour or paste) and sesame oil are more potent than whole sesame seeds.

AllergyStrong and other food allergy advocacy groups are working tirelessly to reverse this manufacturing practicing and preserve the spirit of the FASTER Act which was to protect people with food allergies. But WE NEED YOUR HELP! If you, a friend, or a loved one has had a reaction to the addition of sesame to a product, we would love to hear your story.

1. Submit a brief testimonial form to AllergyStrong via Allergy Shmallergy. Or you may request and submit a short testimonial form from AllergyStrong at: erin@allergystrong.com
2. IMPORTANT: Please ALSO report your reaction to the FDA directly through their MedWatch online submission form.

When appropriate, we will share these testimonies anonymously with lawmakers and the FDA to roll back the addition of sesame in food products and protect everyone living with sesame and other food allergies across the U.S.

THANK YOU!

Sesame Reaction Testimonial Form

If you or a loved one has had a reaction to sesame in a product that was safe to consume before January 1, 2023, please submit a testimonial for use with lawmakers and the FDA to protect those with food allergies.

Name(required)

Product Name(required)

Product Category(required)

Bread

Buns

Rolls

Breading/Breadcrumbs

Other

If "other", please provide brief product description (ex. snack food, cracker, etc)

Date(s) of Exposure(required)

Location (U.S. state) of Exposure(required)

Had you or a loved one eaten the product safely before January 1, 2023?(required)

Yes

No

Don't know/Don't remember

not applicable

In the space below, please describe your/your loved one’s exposure to sesame including the product/commercial establishment that triggered the reaction, symptoms of the reaction, treatment needed to control the reaction, and any other pertinent information.
OR, please explain the impact that the addition of trace sesame has had on you and your family.

(Formatted box allows for as much text as you wish to provide.)

Testimony (required)

This testimony may be shared with the US Food and Drug Administration, legislators, and other national advocacy organizations for the purposes of making corrections and adjustments to the FASTER Act in support of those with sesame and other food allergies.

Thank you!

SUBMIT

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Celebrities with Food Allergies (4th Edition) November 17, 2020

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  Actress Gina Rodriguez at the 2014 Alma Awards

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Just another reminder that you are not the only one with a food allergy! 1 in every 10 adults has a food allergy and 1 in every 13 children do as well.

Bethany Frankel (reality star, Skinny Girl founder): fish

Jason Mantzoukas (actor, comedian):  egg

Tia Mowry (actress):  parent to a child with peanut allergy

Zhaire Smith (NBA 76ers player): peanuts, sesame

Patrice Evra (Juventus Soccer player): eggs

Alex Kerfoot (NHL Avalanche player):  peanuts

Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons):  tree nuts

Jon Stewart (comedian): parent to child of celiac disease.

Sean McDermott (head coach, Buffalo Bills): food allergy parent

Alan Branch (Football Player, Patriots): food allergy parent

Elliott Sadler (NASCAR driver): parent of child with peanut allergy

Courtney Hope (Bold & The Beautiful, Actress):  dairy, gluten, corn yeast

Gina Rodriguez (actress):  blueberries

Jessica Vosk (Broadway actress): peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds, shellfish

Henri Laaksonen (tennis player):  salmon and possibly other fin fish

Daniel Robertson (baseball player, Tampa Bay Rays): pecans

Jameela Jamil (actress): gluten (celiac disease)

Justin Bieber (singer):  celery, gluten

Nina Dobrev (actress):  undisclosed food allergy

Heidi Collins (journalist):  gluten (celiac disease)

Britney Spears (singer and food allergy parent): son allergic to an ingredient in fried chicken.

Kylie Jenner (beauty mogul and food allergy parent): daughter allergic to peanuts, tree nuts

Holly Robinson Peete (actress and food allergy parent): four children allergic to multiple allergens

Jenna Fischer (actress):  sweet potatoes/yams

Mark Cuban (Maverick’s owner and Shark Tank investor): parent to a child with food allergies (tree nuts)

Lauren Conrad (reality TV star and designer): parent to a child with food allergies (dairy)

Blake Martinez (NFL player: NY Giants, former Green Bay Packer): dairy and egg allergy.

(All photos files are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.)

We Need YOU! Call to Action for Sesame Labeling December 20, 2018

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Living with a sesame seed allergy (and any allergy outside of the Top 8) is challenging.  To get a sense of it, read Sesame: The 9th Food Allergen? originally published in Allergy & Asthma Today magazine.

 

With claims that sesame-derived products are healthier and our taste for international cuisine is on the rise, it’s no surprise that the prevalence of sesame allergies is increasing. And, like the peanut, allergic reactions to sesame can be severe.  The allergy is misunderstood by others who often incorrectly assume that if you can’t see sesame seeds on top of a food, that they aren’t inside either.  Sesame labeling is also a large part of the problem.  Sesame can be labeled in a number of challenging ways.  In addition to the long list of alternative names, sesame can be listed as “seasoning,” “spices,” or “natural flavoring.”  This makes it nearly impossible to know whether a product actually contains this allergen or not without calling manufacturers.  Additionally, manufacturers are not required to disclose the presence of sesame often citing proprietary reasons.

 

The FDA is finally considering a request to add sesame to the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requiring manufacturers to label for sesame as they currently do for the Top 8 allergens (peanut, milk, egg, tree nuts, wheat, fish, shellfish, and soy).   All of the national food allergy non-profits are weighing in to give supporting documentation and research, but the FDA needs to hear from you!

Please take a minute to report your experience and challenges to the FDA using this form below:

FDA Regulations – Sesame as Allergen in Foods

 

It only takes a minute or two, so please submit your comments today!  The FDA is welcoming comments only through Dec. 30, 2018.

 

**If you have emails from manufacturers or photos of labels where sesame is hidden under an alternative name or not listed at all, please submit these as attachments as they will be powerful examples of what consumers are facing.**

 

Keeping our fingers crossed…  Thank you for your support!

 

Nut or Not? Food Allergy Facts and Myths January 2, 2018

When you get a food allergy diagnosis, there is so much to learn… including what foods ARE and ARE NOT safe to eat. Let’s clear up some of the confusion surrounding different allergens and which food groups they belong in.  As always, speak with your allergist before adding any new food into your diet.

COCONUT:  Coconuts are actually a member of the palm fruit family.  And, although they have “nut” in the name, they are not officially a nut.  That said, the FDA classifies them as a nut so you will see “TREE NUTS” listed on many U.S. product labels when coconut is an ingredient.

Verdict: While some people are allergic to coconut, most patients with a tree nut allergy can safely eat it.  Speak with your doctor before trying.

NUTMEG:  Nutmeg is a spice that comes from seeds, not nuts.  Again, although “nut” is in the name, it’s technically NOT a tree nut.

Verdict:  According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), it can safely be consumed by those with tree nut allergies.

PINE NUTS:  You may have heard the rumor that pine nuts are actually seeds.  And, that’s true.  BUT, there is some evidence of cross-reaction between pine nuts and peanut and almond allergies.  Doctors and researchers cannot isolate whether reactions to pine nuts are due to cross-reaction or to a separate pine nut allergy.  The FDA labels it as a tree nut.

Verdict:  Those allergic to tree nuts should AVOID eating pine nuts.

WATER CHESTNUTS:  Another case of mislabeling.  Water Chestnuts are an aquatic vegetable.  They are named for their shape that resembles a chestnut.  Like any food, occasionally people find themselves allergic to water chestnuts.  But they are not tree nuts.

Verdict:  Those with tree nut allergies do NOT need to avoid water chestnuts.

SHEA NUT:  Shea nut butter and shea nut oil can be found in many skin and beauty products.  Both shea nut butter and shea nut oil are derived from the seed of the shea tree’s fruit.  The shea nut is a distant relative of the Brazil nut and, as such, FDA considers shea nut a tree nut and will label it as such on ingredient lists.  Per Dr. Sicherer (via Allergic Living, read more here), studies have shown that only trace amounts of protein reside in shea nut butter or oil and no reports of topical immediate reaction or ingestion have been reported.

Verdict: Although allergy to shea nut appears to be unlikely because shea nut butter and oil lacks protein, please discuss with your allergist to get individualized guidance.

ARGAN OIL:  Argan oil comes from the nut of a tree commonly found in the Moroccan desert.  Because the oil is cold-pressed, it is likely to contain protein. Argan oil is becoming an increasingly common ingredient in hair products such as styling oil, shampoo, conditioner as well as other beauty products.  You should check out how they’re made; it’s surprising!

Verdict:  If you’re allergic to tree nuts, it’s probably best to avoid Argan oil until you discuss with your allergist.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH:  Again, it’s a misnomer:  there is “nut” in the name, but not in the product.  As you guessed, butternut squash is a vegetable.

Verdict:  Butternut squash is not only safe for those with tree nuts to consume, it’s also delicious!

THE BOTTOM LINE:  Most of the above products are safe for those with food allergies (woohoo!), but you should always discuss your particular allergies with your doctor before adding any food you are unsure of to your diet.

For your reference, here is the US Food and Drug Administration’s list of Tree Nuts:

• Almond
• Beech Nut
• Brazil Nut
• Butternut
• Cashew
• Chestnut
• Chinquapin
• Coconut
• Filbert/Hazelnut
• Ginko Nut
• Hickory Nut
• Lichee Nut
• Macadamia Nut/Bush Nut
• Pecan
• Pine Nut/Pinon Nut
• Pili Nut
• Pistachio
• Sheanut
• Walnut/Heartnut/Butternut

Nut-Free Pumpkin Seeds at a Discount! April 23, 2012

Finding nut-free seeds is like finding Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket.  Bizarrely difficult.

 

Enter Gerbs.

 

I’ve already tried the Toasted Onion and Garlic variety (see Found: Nut-Free Seeds).  And, now we can’t stop eating the Touch of Sea Salt.  Gerbs are addictively delicious!  And, a great way to satisfy those nut cravings in our nut-free household.  Plus, they are safe to send to school, camp, and playdates.  Too bad I have to share them with the rest of the fam!

 

If you want to try them, check their website for local retailers -OR- you can order online and receive a 10% discount on your entire order by using the code “SHMALLERGY”.

Let me know if anyone tries the trail mix!  Mmmm…..

Found: Nut-Free Seeds! January 23, 2012

I eat pumpkin seeds literally once a year – the week following Halloween when I make them from the innards of my kids’ jack-o-lanterns – and that’s it.  Every other time of year, I look for sunflower or pumpkin seeds to snack on that are not contaminated by nuts and come up with bubkes.

 

Finally after searching for literally years, I stumbled upon Gerbs Pumpkin, Sunflower and Flax Seeds which are processed in a dedicated nut-free facility (everything but their milk and dark chocolate products).  They come in a bunch of different flavors.  So far, I’ve tried the toasted onion and garlic flavor which is excellent and I’m looking forward to finding the sunflower seeds.

 

Wondering if anyone has any good nut-free recipes for pumpkin or sunflower seeds for us to try…..  ????