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Why This Bagel Is Becoming More Dangerous

Hint: hummus, sushi, and falafel often carry the same risk

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 18, 2009 9:20 AM CDT
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(Newser) – If you often suffer a reaction soon after eating burgers or hummus, it might be time to get checked out for one of the fastest-growing allergies in the US: sesame seeds. Experts link the spike in allergies to the increasing popularity of sesame-rich foods like falafel and tahini—but the Food and Drug Administration isn’t especially concerned, reports WebMD.

But don’t panic yet: In one study, all but one of the sufferers had a strong family predisposition to allergies. And while kids with allergies to tree nuts have three times the risk of bad reactions to sesame, there’s no simple blood or skin test: The best way to diagnose the allergy is to eat the seeds, and wait.

Sesame seeds are showing up more and more often in American cuisine: here, seared tuna is encrusted with a sesame coating.
Sesame seeds are showing up more and more often in American cuisine: here, seared tuna is encrusted with a sesame coating.   (©FotoosVanRobin)
Most people who are allergic to sesame seeds also have problems with peanuts or tree nuts; but not everyone in the latter categories may know to check for a sesame allergy.
Most people who are allergic to sesame seeds also have problems with peanuts or tree nuts; but not everyone in the latter categories may know to check for a sesame allergy.   (©SheriW)
Careful! That bagel could be poisonous to some Americans.
Careful! That bagel could be poisonous to some Americans.   (©Dano)
Three quarters of the sesame seeds grown in Mexico end up on McDonald's burger buns. With sesame also a common ingredient in beauty products, it's sometimes hard to avoid.
Three quarters of the sesame seeds grown in Mexico end up on McDonald's burger buns. With sesame also a common ingredient in beauty products, it's sometimes hard to avoid.   (©fortes)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
riffran
Mar 20, 2009 7:29 AM CDT
fear AND respect the bagel....know the bagel, feel the bagel , rofl....anybody have some lox?
paul123
Mar 19, 2009 6:03 AM CDT
the bagel isn't becoming more dangerous, it's as dangerous as it always was. More and more people may be finding that they have an allergy, but the danger degree of the sesame seed has stayed the same.

Allergies have big effects on family life
Forbes

Highest risk group: black male children
US News & World Report

 
food • food allergies • tree nuts • allergic reaction • peanut • sesame seeds

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