Starting Sunday, sesame will be the ninth substance classified as a “major food allergen” by the Food and Drug Administration.
Manufacturers must label products that contain sesame and prevent sesame from cross-contaminating products without it.
The other eight major food allergens are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.
Some products on store shelves may contain sesame and not be labeled as the new rules are implemented, because their shelf life let them be distributed before sesame labeling was required by law, according to the FDA.
Consumers are urged to check with manufacturers if they are unsure of a food product’s sesame status.