Page 74 - FoodFocusThailand No.186 September 2021

SAFETY ALERT
SAFETY ALERT

luis_molinero

‘Sesame’ The Latest Allergic Food

that must be declared

A food allergy happens when the body's immune system reacts unusually to specific foods, and symptoms
can affect different areas of the body at the same time. Some common symptoms included an itchy sensation
inside the mouth, throat, or ears, a raised itchy red rash (urticaria, or "hives"), swelling of the face, around the
eyes, lips, tongue, and roof of the mouth (angioedema) or vomiting. Although allergic reactions are often mild,
some people may develop an extremely severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which can be life-threatening.

From the record, milk and eggs are the most common allergens in Why ‘Sesame’?
early childhood in the U.K., U.S., Australia, and many parts of Europe According to the FDA, available data suggests that the prevalence
and Asia. Also, found that the incidence of challenge-proven cow’s milk of sesame allergies in the U.S. population appears to have increased.
allergy was lower in southwestern European countries, such as Greece The sesame causes a relatively high frequency of severe allergic
(0 percent) and Italy (0.3 percent), but was highest in the U.K. (1.24 adverse events, and those allergic reactions to sesame may occur
percent). The prevalence of egg allergy was also variable - the lowest from products with undeclared sesame ingredients. For these
incidence was again reported in Greece (0.07 percent) and the highest reasons, in November 2020, the FDA issued draft guidance for the
in the U.K. (2.18 percent). food industry requesting that food manufacturers voluntarily disclose
The typical food allergens in Asia are also different from those seen the presence of sesame in their products.
in Western countries. Peanut allergy predominates in children less than Under the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and
5 years of age in the U.K., U.S., and Australia but is very uncommon in Research Act of 2021 (FASTER Act), sesame has been added to
the rest of Asia, apart from Japan. Wheat is becoming one of the most the list of major food allergens for which labeling disclosures are
common food allergens in childhood, followed by egg and milk in Thailand, mandatory. By January 1, 2023, food companies must declare the
Japan, and Korea. A multicenter study in Korea found that walnuts were presence of sesame on food packaging labels. Currently, the Food
the most common cause of physician-diagnosed food allergy in Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requires
preschoolers and school-age children, whereas buckwheat and wheat such disclosure for 8 products: peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy,
allergies were most common in adolescents. Shellfish is also a leading dairy, eggs, and wheat. Sesame is the first additional allergen to be
cause of food allergy in adolescents and adults in other parts of Asia. added to FALCPA’s allergen list since 2006.
The global FDA enforces regulations requiring companies to list
ingredients on packaged foods and beverages to protect those with food Allergic Ingredients Watchlist
allergies and other food hypersensitivities. There are more specific Some individuals may have hypersensitivity reactions to a color
labeling requirements for certain foods or substances that cause allergies additive. For example, FD&C Yellow No. 5, widely found in beverages,
or different hypersensitivity reactions. desserts, processed vegetables, drugs, makeup, and other products,
The FDA provides guidance to the food industry, consumers, and may cause itching and hives in some people. The FDA requires all
other stakeholders on the best ways to assess and manage allergen products containing FD&C Yellow No. 5 to identify it on their labels
hazards in food. The FDA also conducts inspections and sampling to so consumers who are sensitive to the dye can avoid it. Color additives
check that major food allergens are correctly labeled on products and to made from cochineal extract and carmine, which are derived from
determine whether food facilities implement controls to prevent allergen insects, have been identified as allergenic substances that must be
cross-contact and labeling controls from undeclared allergens during declared on the label of all food and cosmetic products
manufacturing and packaging. When problems are found, the FDA works These are food allergens updated in a decade, from research
with firms to recall products and immediately provide public notification report the increase of food allergies worldwide and a new ‘type’ of
to alert consumers. food allergen risen like LTP (Lipid Transfer Protein), a component in
People with food allergies should read labels and avoid the foods vegetable, fruit, nuts, and grains. LTP allergy is mostly found in adults
they are allergic to. The law requires that food labels identify the food that increase in recent years. Consequently, causes of allergies were
source of all major food allergens used to make the food. This requirement collected and inspected from every related department globally to
is met if the common or usual name of an ingredient already identifies secure future loss and death.
that allergen’s food source name. Otherwise, the allergen’s food source
must be declared at least once on the food label in one of two ways.
In parentheses following the name of the ingredient. Examples:
“lecithin (soy),” “flour (wheat),” and “whey (milk).”
Or immediately after or next to the list of ingredients in a “contains”
statement. More Information Service Info C012
Example: “Contains wheat, milk, and soy.”
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