Sesame allergy: the new regulation does not work

By: STA Date: 2023. 02. 13. 11:12

Sesame seed has been added to the official list of allergens in the United States, which means it is subject to specific food allergen regulatory requirements, including explicit ingredient labeling and manufacturing rules.

(Photo: Pixabay)

However, the law has backfired as some baking companies circumvent the rules. On the label of products containing sesame seeds, it must be listed among the ingredients, the manufacturer can no longer hide it under the former designation of “natural spices” and sesame-free products must be prepared according to strict rules. However, this had an unexpected consequence: instead of investing in new production facilities, companies chose to add this ingredient to several products that did not have it before. Because it is much cheaper to label products than to comply with strict official requirements. According to lawyers, this practice is legal, but violates the spirit of the law, which was created to make the lives of people with allergies safer.