November 12, 2020 | less than a minute read

Will sesame become the next major food allergen? FDA draft guidance is a step in that direction.

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Paul Benson

Partner

Get in touch

Paul Benson

Partner

FDA's November 2020 draft guidance on the use of sesame in foods recommends that manufacturers "clearly declare" its presence on ingredient lists when it is used as part of a flavor or spice. FDA hasn't gone so far as to add sesame to the "big eight" major allergens list (milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans) for which allergen labels are required. But it seems to be moving in that direction.

The FDA has issued draft guidance encouraging food manufacturers to voluntarily declare all uses of sesame in the ingredient list on food labels, notably in flavors and spices, but says it needs more data to assess whether it should be subject to mandatory allergen labeling.

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