Sesame but not coconut allergy more likely in nut allergic children

Allergies to sesame and coconut are becoming increasingly common in the United States. Following anecdotal reports that those with allergy to peanuts and tree nuts often also experience symptoms of allergy to sesame or coconut, a recent study has looked at the relationship between sesame, coconut, and nut allergy in children.

By conducting a retrospective chart review of children with histories of peanut and tree nut reactions, the study authors found almost two hundred children who had undergone skin prick testing to sesame and 40 who had skin prick testing to coconut. Results of these tests indicate that children with histories of both peanut and tree nut reaction are more likely to have a history of reactions to sesame. However, those with peanut or tree nut sensitisation did not appear to be more likely to be sensitised or allergic to coconut.

According to information published earlier this year on the ASCIA website, allergy to coconut is relatively rare in Australasia. The advice provided by ASCIA suggests that due to the relative frequency of allergy to peanut and tree nuts compared to allergies to coconut, the risk of coconut allergy in an individual known to be allergic to peanut or tree nuts is likely to be very low. Furthermore, allergy testing to coconut is not considered as routine and commercial extracts of coconut necessary for allergy testing are not currently available in Australasia.

Currently, the presence of coconut in food requires labelling under US food law. This is not the case in Australia and New Zealand where Food Standard 1.2.3 (PDF document can be downloaded below) refers to labelling tree nuts and sesame seeds and their products other than coconut from the fruit of the palm Cocos nucifera.

Study Reference: Stutius et al. 2010. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. Vol21(8), pp. 1114–1118. DOI:10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.00997.x.

Downloads: Food Standard 1.2.3 Warning Statements. [PDF 19.3 KB]