Sesame allergy
Avoiding sesame is essential for children that have a confirmed allergy to sesame.
Allergy action plan
Allergy action plans are recommended to advise staff what to do if a known allergen is ingested. The action plan should be developed with the child’s family and treating team (doctor, allergist, paediatrician) and be approved and signed by a recognised health professional involved in their care.
On enrolment, services should request written documentation of confirmed allergies from the child’s treating team. Parents should document exactly what their child can and cannot tolerate to avoid confusion and this should be written on the allergy action plan. Specialised anaphylaxis action plans are essential for children with anaphylactic reactions.
For information about developing an allergy action plan refer to Allergy policy and allergy action plans or the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)* website http://www.allergy.org.au/.
Avoiding sesame
The following food and ingredients contain sesame and should be avoided:
|
Foods and ingredients that contain sesame |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Aqua libra |
Halva |
Sesame seeds |
Til |
Tahina |
Sesame |
|
Benne |
Hummus |
Sesame snacks |
Sim Sim |
Sesame oil |
Sesomolina |
|
Benniseed |
Pasteli |
Sesarmol |
Gingelly seeds |
Gomasio/sesame salt |
Tahini/sesame paste |
Check labels for the following foods and ingredients which may contain sesame:
|
Foods and ingredients that may contain sesame |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Asian food |
Muesli and muesli bars |
Dips and spreads |
Herbs and spices |
Salads |
Snacks (e.g. middle eastern snacks) |
|
Baked goods (breads, buns, sweet or savoury biscuits) |
Turkish bread |
Vegetarian foods |
Breakfast cereals |
Marinades and dressings |
|
Note: Bakery items (especially unpackaged items) are a high risk for cross contamination.
* The ASCIA website includes personal action plans for allergic reactions and for anaphylaxis. These are medical documents that can only be completed and signed by the patient’s treating medical doctor and cannot be altered without their permission.
Reference: Dietary avoidance - sesame allergy, Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, 2013, http://www.allergy.org.au/patients/food-allergy/ascia-dietary-avoidance-for-food-allergy/sesame.
