The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated sesame, a common ingredient in Korean cuisine, as a major food allergen. The main food allergens specified in the 'Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA)' were eight until last year, including milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. Added. Accordingly, from January 1 this year, food companies must label all products, including health supplements containing sesame seeds. The FDA also made it clear that sesame, which had previously been labeled only as a natural ingredient or spice, was labeled as 'sesame'. However, this regulation does not apply to products released before January 1st, and only applies to packaged products. Therefore, it seems that there will be no significant impact on Korean restaurants. Experts explained that as the FDA's measure makes it mandatory to specify sesame seeds on the label of frozen and packaged foods containing sesame ingredients, Korean food importers or sellers may have to change their labeling depending on the situation. to be. Kim Min-ho, LA branch manager of the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) said, “If sesame is contained in the food manufacturing process, labeling must be done.” there is,” he said. He also emphasized, “Although there have been very few problems with the ingredients in the customs clearance process, we need to be careful because measures such as return or disposal can be taken by tracking them in the event of a post-delivery problem.” In particular, there are many Korean foods prepared using sesame seeds, and products using them are also widely used in cosmetics, health supplements, and drugs, so it is pointed out that Korean companies need to pay attention. It is known that the FDA took this measure because about two out of 10 people show an allergic reaction to sesame seeds. The American Medical Association's medical journal 'JAMA' published a study showing that 1.6 million Americans have a sesame allergy, and the association promoted the implementation of allergen labeling regulations. In addition, JAMA announced the results of a study by researchers at the Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, out of 8 million children and adults, more than 1.5 million have sesame allergies, and 1.1 million have been diagnosed with a reaction by a doctor. told Meanwhile, some Korean restaurants are not subject to this measure, but are in a position to promote sesame ingredient labeling on menus for the health of customers. “There are quite a few Korean restaurants that advertise peanut allergy on their food menu,” said Kim Yong-ho, president of the Korean Food Association of Southern California. We will be able to attach a notice,” he said. On the other hand, people with allergic reactions to sesame may experience rash, itching, diarrhea, vomiting, and even anaphylactic shock due to a sudden drop in blood pressure after ingestion. Symptoms usually appear within a few hours of eating the causative food, and it often occurs in children and adolescents whose immune control function is not sufficiently developed.