BILL NUMBER: S5409

SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the
labeling of food products containing sesame

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This legislation requires food labels to include sesame for any food
item that contains sesame and is packaged for sale, but not for immedi-
ate consumption

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the Agriculture and Markets Law to require food labels
to include sesame for any food item that contains sesame and is packaged
for sale, but not for immediate consumption

Section 2 sets the effective date.

              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Sesame is the ninth most common food allergen in the United States.
According to a recent study published by JAMA Network Open, only 62.2%
of people diagnosed with sesame allergies have been prescribed an
epinephrine pen to alleviate any allergic reactions which may include
severe throat swelling, decrease in blood pressure or death (Marren,
Chadha, Sicherer, Jiang, & Gupta, 2019).

This bill would allow consumers to have peace of mind when purchasing
food items such as hummus, snack bars and maple syrup (which may contain
sesame) without having to ask manufacturers if sesame is included in the
food. In an effort to decrease preventable health issues and possible
death from sesame allergies, this bill would require food labels to
include sesame for packaged food items that contain it.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2021-2022: S454 / A4486

2020: S7781 / A9544

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become a law.