With as many as 1.6 million Americans suffering from sesame allergies, it’s no surprise that sesame was named the 9th major food allergen. It joins peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, dairy, eggs and wheat on the list of the “Big Nine” that require labeling under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA). Sesame is the first allergen to be added to the list since it was established in 2006.

“Adding sesame to the major food allergen list is a significant step in the food industry. It underscores the importance of food safety, clear labeling and transparent manufacturing processes,” says Justin Miller, Vice President of Food Science for Darlington Snacks. “At Darlington Snacks, we are committed to manufacturing in a completely nut-free bakery, and do not produce any products with sesame. We know how serious food allergies are, and we want to provide our customers with safe snacks they can both enjoy and trust.”

The addition of sesame to the major allergen list is part of The Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research (Faster) Act, passed by the Senate in March and the House of Representatives this month. This law will require foods containing sesame to be clearly labeled by January 2023, along with a prioritization of food allergy prevention, diagnosis, research and treatment by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Food allergies impact approximately 32 million Americans, and they have been on the rise for the past 20 years. This is believed to be a result of a study in 2000 that erroneously suggested that children were less liked to develop an allergy when the introduction to potential allergens was delayed. In fact, the opposite was true.

For nut-free snacking, check out our Darlington Snacks products. All of our snacks are baked without peanuts, tree nuts or sesame. While we cannot identify as a sesame free facility, we verify with our vendors that all ingredients are free of these allergens.

Sources:

  • https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/18420-congress-adds-sesame-to-list-of-major-food-allergens
  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/04/23/biden-faster-act-allergy/