Sesame seeds are tiny, flat oval seeds with a nutty taste and a delicate, almost invisible crunch.

Although sesame seeds are classified as seeds and not nuts, the proteins in sesame seeds may resemble proteins in certain nuts and may trigger an allergic reaction in children who have a nut allergy.

For this reason it is recommended that children who have nut allergies avoid foods that contain seeds as well e.g. sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds.

Children who do not have nut allergies should be provided with seed containing foods as they form part of a healthy balanced diet and provide good fats that are essential to growing children. Childcare settings that provide foods should also include these types of foods in small amounts in their menus to provide to children that have no nut allergies.

For more information, contact the Food Foundations team – (07) 3257 4393 or email foodfoundations@naqld.org

Sources:

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Allergy Unit http://www.sswahs.nsw.gov.au/rpa/allergy/default.html

ASCIA – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy  http://www.allergy.org.au/