Photo: fda.gov
As of January 1, 2023, food products that contain sesame must have sesame listed as an allergen. The Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act passed in 2021 declared that sesame be designated as the ninth major food allergen. This is the first addition to the initial eight food allergens defined in 2004.
The allergen declaration will be stated within the ingredient statement or as a separate “Contains” statement below the ingredient statement on food packages.
There may still be food products in grocery stores that don’t list sesame as an allergen if they were already made and shipped to stores before 2023. So those who are allergic to sesame will need to check the ingredient statement regularly. Also, foods that are not packaged, such as bakery goods displayed on trays, may or may not have allergen information. Always ask the vendor to find out any food allergen information.
Learn more at www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/allergic-sesame-food-labels-now-must-list-sesame-allergen.