A small seed with potentially big health risks. 

The Food and Drug Administration is taking steps to require food labels carry a warning if a product contains sesame seeds and sesame by-products.

Currently only eight allergens are listed on labels– milk, fish, eggs, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, soybeans, and wheat. 

Sesame is sometimes listed as “natural flavors” or “spices.”

The FDA wants to change that, saying that although sesame allergies are rare, they can be deadly. 
According to the agency, sesame allergies affect about 300,000 Americans. 

While that’s a tiny percentage of the US population the FDA says it’s on par with allergies to soy and fish. 
Sesame reactions vary from person to person, but can in some cases be life threatening. 

The possibility of such a severe reaction is what’s prompting federal health officials to take action. 

The FDA says requiring a warning on labels may prevent serious allergic reactions and even deaths. 

The agency is still gathering information from nutritionists, allergy experts, and other health officials to get a complete understanding of the risks and impacts of changing laws.