Update June 18th, 2024: In-N-Out announced sesame flour will only be added to buns in Texas and Colorado.
The company website has been updated with the following information:
“Beginning June 12th, hamburger buns served at In-N-Out locations in Texas and Colorado will contain a small amount of sesame flour (less than 2% of ingredients). Buns served in our other six states (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, and ID) remain free of sesame.”
In-N-Out has announced that sesame flour is added as an ingredient to their hamburger buns as of June 12th, 2024. They announced this change in the statement below:
“We source our hamburger buns from multiple bakeries that each use shared production areas. Following the FDA declaration of sesame as a major allergen, we have found that many bakeries in the industry are unable to ensure that buns baked in their facilities are sesame-free. Due to the potential for cross- contamination that exists in the bakery, many suppliers have added a minimal amount of sesame flour to their recipes.
We have updated our allergen information in our stores and on our website, and we are sharing this information with you here.”
The allergen information is updated on the company’s website.
For the most up-to-date ingredient and allergen information, always check a restaurant's website or ask about ingredients at the location when ordering food. Ingredients can be regional and can change at any time.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Even small amounts of sesame can cause an allergic reaction in people with a sesame allergy. Speak with your own doctor about how to manage your food allergy.
Sesame Allergy Challenges Persist After Adoption of FASTER Act
Patient advocacy group continues push for safer eating for people with food allergies
Washington, DC – The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) advocates for transparent and evidence-based food labeling, better sesame allergen control, and additional research and education on sesame allergy.
“On behalf of the more than 20 million people in the United States with food allergies, AAFA is continuing our advocacy and education around food safety for people with food allergies,” stated AAFA president and CEO Kenneth Mendez. “Sesame allergy in particular may be difficult to navigate as more food manufacturers and restaurants intentionally add sesame to their products.”
Sesame is among the top ten most common allergens for people with food allergies.
People with food allergies must take great care to ensure they don’t accidentally eat their food allergens. This can make grocery shopping, eating out, or ordering food online challenging if food companies, restaurants, and apps don’t clearly label food allergens for consumers. It can also be challenging when foods that didn’t previously contain an allergen are modified and now include that allergen.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that since the adoption of the FASTER Act – a law intended to reduce accidental exposure to sesame – some bakers and food manufacturers have responded by adding sesame to products that didn’t previously contain it. This appears to be a business decision that labeling a product as containing sesame is more cost-effective than adopting equipment cleaning practices that would reduce sesame exposure.
AAFA continues to work with key stakeholders to address this challenge:
- AAFA encouraged the FDA to take action to move manufacturers to safe practices when it comes to sesame in food products
- AAFA asked bakers to stop the practice of adding sesame to baked goods in an attempt to avoid strict compliance with the FASTER Act
- AAFA conducted research that will soon be shared about the complexities of managing sesame allergy
- AAFA supports the Food Labeling Modernization Act that would require online grocery retailers to list food ingredients.
- AAFA issues product change notices and amplifies FDA food recall notifications
Sesame allergies affect more than 1.5 million Americans, half of whom are children. Before the FASTER Act, families with sesame allergies found it challenging to determine if sesame was in the products they were buying. Now families are struggling to find products without sesame as some previously trusted restaurants and brands have engaged in this practice of intentionally adding sesame to their foods.
AAFA encourages people with sesame allergy to talk with their doctors about their sesame allergy plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sesame Allergy
How prevalent is sesame allergy?
Sesame is among the top ten most common allergens for people with food allergies.
Sesame allergy prevalence in the U.S. has grown to more than 1.5 million people, half of whom are children.
Why are more food companies and restaurants adding products with sesame/adding sesame to baked goods?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that since the adoption of the FASTER Act – a law intended to reduce exposure to sesame – some bakers and food manufacturers have responded by adding sesame to products that didn’t previously contain them. This is being done either due to a misinterpretation of the law – or an unwillingness to adopt cleaning practices that would reduce sesame cross-contact in facilities that process multiple food products.
How dangerous is sesame?
Responses to food allergens vary by individual. Exposure to even small amounts of sesame can trigger a dangerous potentially serious allergic reaction in individuals allergic to sesame. Other individuals may be able to tolerate small amounts.
It is important to work with your allergist or health care provider to understand your risk and create a plan for managing your (or your child's) sesame allergy.
What is being done to address the increase in products containing sesame?
AAFA is calling on the FDA and food companies (including bakeries) to take action to properly manage sesame allergen. This includes appropriate cleaning practices to reduce cross-contact with sesame allergen. We’re also calling on bakers and food manufacturers to stop the practice of adding sesame to foods and recipes that did not previously contain sesame.
Additionally, we’ve conducted research on managing sesame allergy since the adoption of the FASTER Act and will soon share that research publicly. This research will help support our advocacy efforts to refine food allergen labeling policies.
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About AAFA
Founded in 1953, AAFA is the oldest and largest non-profit patient organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease for people with asthma, allergies and related conditions through research, education, advocacy and support. AAFA offers extensive support for individuals and families affected by asthma and allergic diseases, such as food allergies and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Through its online patient support communities, network of local chapters and affiliated support groups, AAFA empowers patients and their families by providing practical, evidence-based information and community programs and services. AAFA is the only asthma and allergy patient advocacy group that is certified to meet the standards of excellence set by the National Health Council. For more information, visit: aafa.org and kidswithfoodallergies.org
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