In-N-Out Reverses Sesame Flour Addition, Swaps Salt and Ketchup Ingredients

Key points

• In-N-Out removed sesame flour from buns in 10 states, reversing a 2024 addition that affected customers with allergies.
• The chain replaced iodized salt packets with sea salt and changed its ketchup recipe to use real sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup.
• These changes follow a 2025 update removing synthetic red dye from pink lemonade and strawberry shakes in response to FDA guidelines.
• In-N-Out operates over 440 locations across 10 states, with more than 280 in California, and recently moved its headquarters back to Baldwin Park, California.
• The company cited a commitment to 'freshest, highest-quality food' as the reason for the updates, though it did not specify the rationale for the sesame removal.

Background

In 2021, President Biden signed the FASTER Act, which identified sesame as a major food allergen and required labeling starting in January 2023. This led some manufacturers to add sesame flour to products to avoid cross-contamination risks. In 2024, In-N-Out added sesame flour to its buns, prompting criticism from Food Allergy Research & Education. In 2025, In-N-Out removed artificial red dye from its pink lemonade and strawberry shakes, aligning with FDA plans to phase out artificial dyes by the end of 2026. The chain also moved its headquarters back to Baldwin Park, California, in February 2025 after 32 years in Irvine.

How outlets are covering it

Tasting Table emphasizes the impact on the 1.6 million U.S. residents with sesame allergies, highlighting positive customer feedback and the unintended consequences of the FASTER Act. The Sacramento Bee provides operational details, noting the changes apply to Texas, Colorado, and Tennessee, and confirms the shift to sea salt and real sugar in ketchup. The Los Angeles Times focuses on the broader trend of reducing processed ingredients, noting mixed public reaction to the salt change, with some users questioning the nutritional value of sea salt versus iodized salt. All sources agree on the core changes but differ in emphasis: Tasting Table on allergy relief, Sacramento Bee on corporate statements, and Los Angeles Times on consumer debate.

Why it matters

The changes reflect a growing industry trend toward reducing artificial additives and addressing food allergies, driven by regulatory shifts and consumer demand. For In-N-Out, a brand known for its simple menu, these adjustments signal a response to health concerns and regulatory pressures, potentially influencing other fast-food chains. The sesame removal specifically addresses a significant allergen issue, while the salt and ketchup changes align with broader moves away from processed ingredients, as seen in other companies like Kellogg and General Mills.

What to watch

In-N-Out will continue to monitor customer feedback and may implement further ingredient changes in response to FDA guidelines and consumer preferences. The company has stated it will 'continue building on that commitment for years to come,' suggesting potential future updates to its menu or ingredients. Other fast-food chains may follow suit in removing artificial dyes or adjusting allergen-related ingredients, as the FDA's push to phase out artificial dyes by the end of 2026 gains momentum.