New label law has unintended effect: Sesame in more foods

AP - Dec 21, 2022

A new federal law requiring that sesame be listed as an allergen on food labels is having unintended consequences — increasing the number of products with the ingredient.

Food industry experts said the requirements are so stringent that many manufacturers, especially bakers, find it simpler and less expensive to add sesame to a product — and to label it — than to try to keep it away from other foods or equipment with sesame.

Bob Huebner, food safety/quality assurance manager for Pan-O-Gold, told Fitzgerald in a string of emails that the company was forced to add sesame to the product and the label.

"The unfortunate reality is that our equipment and bakeries are not setup for allergen cleanings that would be required to prevent sesame cross-contamination and was not an option for us," Huebner wrote in an email to Fitzgerald.

https://apnews.com/article/sesame-allergies-label-b28f8eb3dc846f2a19d87b03440848f1

Seems like the food industry wants to accelerate thinning of the herd for certain types of people.

Some people can have fatal allergic reaction to certain foods, as if it's a "poison" introduced to their body.

In 2023, expect a lot more food recalls for incorrectly labeled products.