FDA Adds Sesame to Major Food Allergen List
As of January 1, 2023, foods containing sesame will be subject to specific food allergen regulatory requirements, including labeling and manufacturing requirements. Sesame joins eight other major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans.
Manufacturers are now required to indicate if sesame is included as an ingredient. For example, in the past they may have listed “spices” as an ingredient. If the spices include sesame, it will now say “spices (sesame)”. Additionally, many items, especially bakery items such as breads, buns, bagels, rolls, etc. will now list “may contain sesame” or “produced in a facility that also uses sesame”. In an effort to reduce liability, many items you have used in the past may now include new "sesame" warnings. It is important to note that the "may contain" or "produced" warnings are voluntary and not required by the FDA. Also, if the products were produced prior to January 1, 2023, manufacturers are not required to update the packaging on previously produced items.
Unfortunately, some manufactures have taken a different route. In an effort to minimize the costs and risk of certifying that their factories are 100% sesame free, manufacturers have elected to “add” sesame to the ingredients. We have included a link below to a recent article about Chick-Fil-A and other restaurants adding sesame to products to avoid complying with the FASTER Act.
We will continue to monitor this and advise our members of any pertinent updates as they become available. For more information, you can refer to the articles below:
Click here for an article on Chick-Fil-A and other restaurants adding sesame
Click here for information from the FDA
Click here for an article about companies adding sesame to the ingredients
H&H Purchasing suggests treating sesame allergies like a dairy or gluten allergy and make sure that anyone with these allergies are served from the designated area for allergy friendly meals.
WARNING: Changes to allergy warnings are not always updated on online nutritional labels. It is imperative that all facilities check the actual boxes and labelling at time of delivery, as the same item could be produced in different factories with different allergens listed. We have included an example below of a label change that occurred within a week of delivery. The product now lists “contains” sesame as they have added “Sesame Seeds” as the last ingredient.
