On December 15, 2022, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that as of January 1, 2023, foods containing sesame should meet certain regulatory requirements for food allergens as well as labeling and manufacturing requirements. As a rule, sesame was added to the list of major food allergens as defined by law. In addition to sesame, the other eight major food allergens include milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, nuts, peanuts, wheat and soy.

The FDA reminds consumers that food products already sold by 2023, including those on retail shelves, do not need to be removed from the market or re-labeled with sesame as an allergen. If consumers are unsure whether sesame is in the food, they can check with the manufacturer.