FDA adds sesame to the official food allergen list

There is another official food allergen – sesame. Effective January 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that all foods containing sesame meet specific allergen regulatory requirements in labeling and manufacturing.

Sesame is considered the oldest oilseed crop known to mankind, and the FDA has been considering adding it to the allergen list for several years. , joins other top allergens such as tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans.

This change comes as a result of the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research Act signed into law in 2021.

According to medical experts, people with sesame allergies can experience a variety of reactions, including itching, hives and rashes, swelling around the mouth and eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath or wheezing, and nasal congestion. .

Foods containing sesame that were already in circulation before 2023, including those on retail shelves, will not be removed or relabeled according to the FDA. Some foods are not The FDA says consumers should check with the manufacturer if they don’t know if their food contains sesame seeds until an unlabeled product leaves the market.