FARE statements regarding food companies intentionally adding sesame flour to their products to avoid complying with the intent of the FASTER Act

Statement by Jason Linde, Senior Vice President, Government & Community Affairs, FARE:
 
“On behalf of the more than 32 million Americans with life-threatening food allergies and the approximately 1.6 million Americans allergic to sesame, we are disappointed and frustrated that previously trusted companies would rather add small amounts of sesame flour to their bakery products than comply with the intent of the FASTER Act, clean their lines, and safely feed members of our community.
 
By taking this approach, they have turned their backs on some of their most loyal customers by ruining previously safe food, and made life even more difficult for our families.”
 
Supporting statement by Stacey Saiontz, Food Allergy Mom and FARE Advocate:
 
“Living with a sesame allergy for 15 years, we longed for the day when we didn’t have to call every company each time we shopped to determine if the product contained sesame.  We were so excited for the ability to purchase more products safely by simply looking at the labels. Unfortunately, the reverse has occurred because companies have been adding sesame to their ingredients, even if sesame was not included before.  Although we are delighted that sesame must now appear on product labels, we are deeply disappointed to now see companies purposely adding sesame to their products to skirt FASTER Act compliance.”