Guide
FASTER Act sesame labeling: what changed in 2023
Since 1 January 2023, sesame is a major food allergen in the United States. Packaged FDA foods that contain sesame as an ingredient must name it in plain language — tahini, hummus, sesame oil from unrefined seed, and everything-bagel topping included.
Reviewed against official guidance.SourcesNot legal advice.
The short answer
Since 1 January 2023, sesame is a major food allergen in the United States. Packaged FDA foods that contain sesame as an ingredient must name it in plain language — tahini, hummus, sesame oil from unrefined seed, and everything-bagel topping included.
Where this shows up in a real kitchen
For years US manufacturers could list sesame under “spices” or omit a Contains line. That is over. The FASTER Act did not create a grace period for old labels sitting in a drawer. If a 2022 hummus label is still on jars in 2026, it is out of date. Restaurants are not FALCPA-packaged food, but packed retail dips sold from the same kitchen are.
The US rule
FDA’s FASTER Act page confirms sesame joined the FALCPA list. Unrefined sesame oil and sesame paste declare sesame. Highly refined oils have a narrower story — do not assume a toasted sesame oil is exempt without reading the specification. Cross-contact “may contain sesame” remains voluntary risk communication, not the Act’s ingredient rule.
How to apply it
Search every spec for sesame, tahini, benne, gingelly and hummus. Update the ingredients list and Contains line together. Retrain staff who still say “we don’t have to label seeds”. If you use a shared bagel-topping bin, decide whether sesame is an ingredient of every bagel or a genuine cross-contact advisory.
- Inventory every SKU for sesame ingredients, including sauces and toppings.
- Replace “spice blend” or “seed mix” with named sesame where sesame is present.
- Update Contains statements dated before 2023.
- Separate true ingredients from shared-equipment dust and label those differently.
Worked example
A Portland bakery’s “everything focaccia” squares, wrapped for the fridge: the topping mix is sesame, poppy, garlic, onion, salt. The 2022 label said “seed blend”. The 2026 label says “sesame seeds, poppy seeds…” and Contains: sesame, wheat (from the dough). A plain salt focaccia baked on the same tray may need an advisory if sesame dust is unavoidable — that is a process decision, not a FASTER Act checkbox.
Checks that belong on this pack
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Tahini and hummus name sesame | Paste is still sesame, even when the jar looks like a condiment. |
| Everything seasoning is not anonymous | The word “everything” is not an allergen name. |
| Old labels are not used up “to save stock” | A pre-2023 sesame-silent label is not a cost-saving device. |
| Shared topping bins have a written rule | Ingredient vs advisory depends on whether sesame is meant to be there. |
Hiding sesame in “natural flavors”
If sesame is added as an ingredient, name it. Flavor loftiness is not a FALCPA workaround.
What LabelClear can and cannot print
When you paste a hummus or tahini line into the generator, confirm sesame is marked. US law has required that name since 2023.
Questions
Does toasted sesame oil always declare sesame?
Are sesame seeds on a burger bun restaurant food?
Is black sesame different?
Official sources
Everything on this page traces back to these. Where they and we disagree, they are right — tell us and we'll fix it.
- Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act of 2021U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Food allergiesU.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA)U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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