Will Sesame Be Added to the Big Eight for Required Allergen Labeling?

There is a push to get sesame added to those allergens that require labeling as part of the FALCPA -
Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004.  While sesame label declaration is already required in Canada and Europe, it is not here.  It seems though, that many US companies may already be doing so.  Will it get to the point where there is enough pressure to push FDA to add this to the list....not sure, but it may be worth the effort to understand where you may be using sesame, especially when part of a natural flavor or spice ingredient.

According to FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education), a 2010 study indicated that about 0.1 percent of the population has a sesame allergy.  I have never run across anyone who stated having a sesame allergy.

CSPI
https://cspinet.org/news/food-industry-split-disclosing-sesame-allergen-20180413
For Immediate Release: Friday, April 13, 2018
Contact: Jeff Cronin, 202-777-8370 or Ariana Stone, 202-777-8355

Food Industry Split on Disclosing Sesame, an Allergen
CSPI Urges FDA to Require Sesame Labeling and Industry to Close Gaps in Policies

WASHINGTON—Fourteen of 22 major food manufacturing companies declare the presence of sesame and do not obscure it as an unspecified “spice” or “natural flavoring,” according to a new report by the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest.  But the remaining companies do not provide appropriate labeling, leaving consumers at risk for potentially life-threatening allergies.

Oregon Food Bank Recalls Two Additional Items That Were Shipped with Recalled Chia Seeds

The Oregon Food Bank is recalling pumpkin seed and nutritional yeast.  This product was on the same shipment as chia seed that was recalled last week.  That product was recalled due to the presence of mice poop. 

The reason listed for these product was 'potential Listeria'.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm601536.htm
Oregon Food Bank Voluntarily Recalls Pumpkin Seeds Because Of Possible Contamination By Listeria Species
For Immediate Release
March 17, 2018

Oregon Food Bank Recalls Chia Seeds After Rodent Droppings Discovered in Product

Oregon Food Bank of Portland is recalling chia seeds after it was discovered that there is the presence of rodent droppings.  "The issue was discovered through investigation of a customer complaint regarding foreign material. Product which was still in inventory at Oregon Food Bank was determined to contain rodent droppings. Subsequent investigation indicates the chia seeds were observed to have evidence of rodent activity by the donor, Live Local Organic of Milwaukie, Oregon. The recall was initiated after it was determined all chia seeds received in this donation might be at risk."

Nasty. 

Chia seeds, used as a thickening agent and added as a nutritional benefit to food, looks an awful lot like mouse dropping. although a bit smaller.  (about 2mm for Chia vs up to 5mm for MD).

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm600756.htm
Oregon Food Bank Issues Alert on Foreign Material in Chia Seeds
For Immediate Release
March 12, 2018

Companies Issue Recalls after Sunflower Seed Supplier Expands Recall Again

(This is a updated rerelease of the June 7 posting to include added recall notices).
A number of companies are recalling sunflower seed containing food items after SunOptima has expanded their recall  to include all product produced since last May.

• Hershey Issues Voluntary Recall of SoFit Products Due to Expanded Supplier Recall of Sunflower Seeds
• Rucker's Wholesale and Service Co. Recalls Sunflower Kernel, Sweet & Salty Mix, Cajun Hot Mix
• Taylors Candy Inc. Recalls "Stuckey’s Sunflower Kernels" Because of Possible Health Risk
• SunOpta Announces Second Expansion of Voluntarily Recall on Market District Pre-Packaged and Bulk Sunflower Seeds Sold at Market District Stores [Giant Eagle]
• Maranatha Brand Voluntarily Recalls Certain Lots of Sunflower Seed Butter
• Brown & Haley Expands Voluntary Recall of Mountain Thins “Trail Mix” Flavor
• Kashi Company Expands Recalls of Impacted Products
• Harvest Expands Recall of Certain Sunflower Kernel Products
• Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Sunflower Seed Containing Products
• Hy-Vee Voluntarily Expands Recalls to include One Salad Topping and Additional Trail Mix Products 
• First Source Expanded Recall Of "Various Products Containing Sunflower Kernels 

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Recalls Information listed here:

Sunflower Seed Supplier Expands Recall Again

SunOptima has expanded its expanded recall for product out of it Crookston, MN facility .  This is the 3rd recall.  The initial recall on  May 3rd focused on February production and then the first recall expansion announced on May 18th increased included the size of the recall to include production from February through April.  This latest expansion now includes production before February, going all the way back to May of 2015.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm504808.htm
FURTHER EXPANDED Recall Period of Certain Sunflower Kernel Products Due to Possible Contamination by Listeria Monocytogenes
For Immediate Release
June 1, 2016

Additional Recalls Due to Sunflower Seeds with Potential for Listeria

A number of companies have announced or expanded recalls due to the potential for Listeria in sunflower seeds.    This is part of the SunOptima Sunflower Seed Recall due to Listeria.

• Kashi is recalling certain varieities of granola bars, 
• Back Country is expanding their recall.
• Quaker Oats is recalling Quaker® Quinoa Granola Bars, all due to the potential of one of their ingredients to have Listeria.
• Clif Bar is recalling various bars containing sunflower seed.
• Jungle Jim and Windy Acres are recalling product.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm504285.htm
Kashi Company Voluntarily Recalls One Variety of Kashi® Granola Bars and One Variety of Bear Naked® Granola Due to Potential Health Risk Related to Sunflower Seeds

For Immediate Release
May 31, 2016

Recalls Continue for Sunflower Seed Contaminated with Listeria

A number of companies have issued recalls in light of the finding and subsequent recall of sunflower seeds for Listeria by SunOptima.  (SunOpta’s recall Information):

C. J. Dannemiller Co. Annouces Recall of "Sunflower Kernels, Roasted and Salted" and "Sunflower Kernels, Roasted No Salt" Because of Possible Listeria monocytogenes
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm503080.htm
May 24, 2016
C. J. Dannemiller Co. is recalling SunOpta 50# bags and 30# cases of roasted sunflower kernels roasted and salted, and sunflower kernels roasted no salt because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria. Listeria is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.