Behold a labeling law's unintended consequences. Stricter requirements for labeling sesame—a potential allergen—in food products have perversely led to more sesame in the food supply. "Food industry experts said the requirements are so stringent that many manufacturers, especially bakers, find it simpler and less expensive to add sesame to a product—and to label it—than to try to keep it away from other foods or equipment with sesame," reports the Associated Press.
Since 2004, Congress has required food labels to note the presence of eight major allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. Now, sesame has been added to that list.
