Navigating the Challenges of Sesame Allergy Laws
The FASTER Act, which designated sesame as the 9th official allergen and introduced strict labeling requirements, has unintentionally made it harder for people with sesame allergies to avoid the seed. Big commercial bakeries have started adding sesame, often in the form of sesame flour, to products that previously didn't contain it, making it difficult to find sesame-free options. This approach allows manufacturers to comply with the law without investing in separate production lines. The FDA denied a petition to prevent intentional addition of sesame, but the American Bakers Association has proposed establishing a sesame allergen threshold to eliminate the incentive to add sesame to foods. The allergy community continues to engage with regulators to protect people with allergies.