Poppy & Sesame Allergy

For people with serious food allergies, a trip to the bakery or restaurant can be a frustrating experience. Eggs, milk and wheat are all among the most widespread allergy triggers, and all three are fundamental ingredients. Poppy-seed and sesame-seed allergies are less common, but you'll still need to be vigilant to avoid accidentally eating them.

About Food Allergies

When your doctor tells you you're allergic to a specific food, what he's really saying is that your body doesn't know how to deal with it properly. You suffer allergic reactions because your body misinterprets a normally harmless food protein as a threat, and bombards it with antibodies and histamines. The price you pay might be as modest as a rash or stuffed sinuses, but in severe cases, a food allergy can be lethal.

Allergens

Foods or other substances that trigger an allergic reaction are called allergens. The eight most-common food allergens account for approximately 90 percent of all diagnosed food allergies in the United States. Seeds are not one of the eight most-frequent allergens, but they are considered a dangerous allergen because they often cause life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Sunflower seeds, poppy seeds and sesame seeds are the most common allergy triggers.

Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds are used primarily in bakeries, where they can be found as a garnish on top of rolls or bagels, or in some breakfast muffins. They're also used in some cakes and many European pastries. Poppy seeds are a relatively simple allergen to avoid, since they are almost always visible in the food. Avoid baked goods or salad dressings that contain them, and minimize your risk further by avoiding salad bars or bakery showcases where poppy seeds may cross-contaminate other foods.

Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are commonly used to add a nutty flavor to breads and rolls, and are frequently included in trail bars, granola and similar mixtures. Sesame is widely used, so avoiding it requires some diligence. It's fundamental to Asian and Middle Eastern cooking, so be wary of those culinary traditions when you eat out. You'll find sesame seeds and sesame oil in a wide range of commercial products, including bottled sauces and even some non-food items. When you're buying from local bakeries, try to find one that uses no sesame at all. That reduces the likelihood of contamination by traces amounts of sesame.