Sesame became the ninth allergen that must be declared on food labels as mandated in the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act. The FASTER Act was signed into law, by President Biden, on April 23, 2021. This change applies to any food for interstate commerce and goes into effect on or after January 1, 2023.

Currently, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) of 2004 requires the declaration of eight major food allergies, including egg, fish, milk, peanut, soy, shellfish (Crustacean), tree nuts, and wheat. Food allergen labeling is mandatory by law.

Beginning January 1, 2023, sesame becomes the ninth allergen to be declared on food labels. On The Menu discusses the details on how to label allergens on food packaging here. These same rules would apply to sesame.

On The Menu is an expert on food allergen labeling and can answer your questions.