Food Allergy Focus: sesame

Since 2004, sesame allergies have been increasing in children and young adults at an exponential rate. According to a 2019 study, over 1.6 million Americans have sesame allergies. This year, sesame has been classified as the ninth major food allergen in the US. Major food allergens are any food items that result in 90% of food related allergies. The FDA has been considering this revelation since November 2020, but the act has only been put into effect recently. The FDA has declared that all food manufacturers must clearly label and describe all uses of sesame in all food items in accordance with the FASTER law. All labels must indicate their use of sesame by 2023. Some foods that will be affected by this are cereals, chips, and baked goods. Doctors and parents are celebrating this new addendum, as it has now become safer for children with sesame allergies to consume goods. 

                                                                Sources

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/04/23/biden-faster-act-allergy/ 
https://www.foodallergy.org/living-food-allergies/food-allergy-essentials/common-allergens/sesame
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/26/well/eat/food-allergy-law-sesame.html#:~:text=Sesame%20becomes%20the%20ninth%20food,signed%20into%20law%20in%202004. 
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-encourages-manufacturers-clearly-declare-all-uses-sesame-ingredient-list-food-labels

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By Treasurer Shravya Harish