Multi-Industry Comments on the Voluntary Disclosure of Sesame as an Allergen

ASTA issued comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2021 on the Voluntary Disclosure of Sesame as an Allergen: Guidance for Industry. Comments outline inconsistencies and confusion arising from the guidance, including that FDA policy already provides that sesame should not be labeled under the generic declaration of spices. ASTA requests that FDA revoke the voluntary guidance due to the legislative process and the FASTER Act.

In January 2025, ASTA submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on its discussion paper on the development of an enhanced systematic process for the post-market assessment of chemicals in food. ASTA's comment note that environmental contaminants are unique and should be addressed using a separate or modified approach to that used for intentionally added chemicals. The comments also call for the development of additional guidance to assist industry with setting appropriate thresholds for contaminants.