Those with a Sesame Allergy are celebrating in 2023 as the FDA has made Sesame a ‘must label’ food allergen!
Formally called the 2021 Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act, “The FASTER Act, among other things, adds sesame to the list of major food allergens effective January 1, 2023” per the FDA news release.
While the FASTER Act does a lot more than Sesame labeling, many folks are curious if we’ll see any changes reflected at Disney. Below we’ll talk about how you can find Sesame at Disney World currently, and when you might see it added to the Allergy Menu. This is unofficial information, as Disney hasn’t released anything about Sesame or the FASTER Act, but they have always had ingredient information available for the top 14 allergens with the Chefs.
How Common is Sesame at Disney World Quick Serve Dining Locations?
Sesame is typically found at every other Quick Serve location on at least one item. It is not a super common ingredient, but can be found at several Quick Serve Dining Locations in each Disney Park. Ask to speak with a Coordinator who can confirm Sesame Allergy Safety.
***As Always, please speak to a qualified restaurant employee when ordering food. In order to see the most accurate ingredients and risk assessment, you will need to confirm allergy safety in real-time. This is my personal experience, I am not employed or endorsed by companies or brands mentioned.***
Disney isn’t legally obligated to add Sesame as their Allergy Menu Guides are ‘Friendly’ (and a Courtesy)
While we all appreciate the Allergy Menus at Disney World, they are technically, Allergy Friendly Guides. These guides are not legal documents, carry a heavy disclaimer, and are meant to help with ordering. Basically, Disney Chefs were running to Allergy orders so much, that they needed a guide to reduce the workload on the Chefs.
In what could be a hurtful assumption, it’s possible that Disney might not add to Sesame to ‘Allergy Menu Guides’ because it’s not a very common request. The guides are incredibly helpful for planning, and I would love to see it, but Disney is not obligated to add Sesame to their Complementary Allergy Menu Guides.
Here’s when we might see Sesame added to the Allergy Menus
But don’t give up hope! Disney Special Diets team has done so much over the last few years and I love seeing their updates. While I don’t have the inside scoop, its very possible that Sesame could be added to Allergy Menus and Mobile Ordering within the next 12 months.
Disney Special Diets is constantly updating menus, especially as pricing changes, and it’s very possible that Sesame could be ‘rolled out’ with new menu updates. This is my guess and seems the most likely.
Here’s an example of an Allergy Menu
Where can you currently find information about Sesame Ingredients when dining at Disney World?
Sesame information is readily available at Disney World, once you get on property and to the dining location. Ask to speak with a Coordinator or Chef, and they can pull up menu items to confirm ingredients. Sesame is often an ‘additive’ or topping that can be removed from most items or swapped for a Sesame Free Version.
Stay Tuned for Sesame Updates
We’ll be checking on Sesame, on the Allergy Menus, and making sure it’s labeled in ingredients when found. Many Coordinators and Chefs aren’t aware of the FASTER ACT, so this is a great chance to let them know about the positive changes with Sesame as the 9th Allergen in the United States.
Everyone should eat well on vacation! Learn more common questions and concerns in the Food Allergy FAQ or the Gluten Free Disney FAQ.
Plus the latest Disney News when it comes to Food Restrictions, eats, and offerings. Connect with the MouseEarMemory Gluten Free and Allergy Community at the socials listed below or @Mouse.Ear.Memories