Earlier this year, sesame was declared as the new major allergen, the ninth one to be precise. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced updated draft guidance to “help food facilities comply with the requirements for current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) and preventive controls for human food.” The major highlight of this situation is protecting other foods from cross-contamination with sesame and the correct labeling since it is, from now on, a major allergen. Allergies can be mild, but they can also lead to death, sesame is to be disclosed in labels to ensure safe food consumption. Unfortunately, some manufacturers have been purposely implementing sesame and labeling instead of taking measures to prevent cross-contamination.
Nothing can be done against these manufacturers since as they are including labels for sesame, they are following FDA regulations. The manufacturers are confronting the new law, but in a very lazy and unfair manner for those who are allergic to sesame. Since they must only add sesame as a new ingredient, this is purposely much easier for the manufacturers as they don’t have to watch out for cross-contamination, which would be more complex. Simply adding sesame and a label completely solves their situation despite the ingredient probably not providing anything innovative to the foods. Due to its novelty and simplicity, I believe that this same solution is going to be utilized increasingly.
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