The prevalence of sesame allergy is on the order of 0.1-0.2% but is higher in Middle Eastern and Asian countries, where consumption is more common as part of the traditional diet.
In the United States, sesame allergy probably affects 1.5 million people.
In the European Union, identification of the presence of sesame along with 13 other foods as an ingredient or unintentional contaminant in packaged foods is mandatory.
