The simple answer is YES.  FDA has recently issued draft guidance for the food industry to voluntarily disclose sesame as an allergen on food labels. They have also extended the comment period on this guidance. In plain language, if you have sesame in your food product you should disclose it clearly in the ingredients list. For example: When sesame is used in food as a “flavor” or “spice” there should be, in a parenthetical, following the spice or flavor, such as, “spice (sesame),” “spices (including sesame),” “flavor (sesame)” or “flavors (including sesame).” If a term is used for a food that is or contains sesame, such as tahini, they recommend that sesame be included in a parenthesis, e.g. “tahini (sesame)” in the ingredient list. This voluntary declaration of all sources of sesame in the ingredient list will help consumers, especially those allergic to sesame, avoid foods that could cause an allergic reaction.

The guidance can be found here:

Voluntary Disclosure of Sesame as an Allergen: Guidance for Industry

 

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