Federal food safety regulators issued a warning to Bimbo Bakeries USA on Tuesday, instructing the company to cease labeling its products as containing allergens like sesame or tree nuts when they do not.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) flagged the practice as misleading under regulatory guidelines, stating that food labels must accurately reflect ingredients to ensure consumer safety. Inspections conducted late last year at Bimbo plants in Phoenix, Arizona, and Topeka, Kansas, revealed discrepancies between labeling and actual product contents.
“Food labels must be truthful and not misleading,” FDA officials emphasized in a warning letter sent to Bimbo’s headquarters in Horsham, Pennsylvania. They highlighted that allergen labeling cannot substitute for preventing cross-contamination in manufacturing facilities.
Advocates from Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) expressed concern, noting the impact on the estimated 33 million Americans with food allergies who rely on accurate labeling for their health and safety. Sung Poblete, CEO of FARE, emphasized that inaccurate labeling undermines consumer trust and limits choices for allergy-sensitive individuals.
In response, Bimbo Bakeries USA, a major player in the U.S. baking industry based in Mexico City, reassured consumers of its commitment to allergen-sensitive consumers. Company officials stated they are in communication with the FDA to address and resolve the labeling issues promptly.
The FDA’s scrutiny follows the inclusion of sesame as a major allergen in labeling requirements starting in 2022. Concerns arose as some companies, including Bimbo, preemptively labeled products with allergens due to potential cross-contamination, a practice the FDA deemed questionable in spirit though not explicitly illegal.
Bimbo Bakeries USA has until July 8 to outline corrective actions or provide justification for its labeling practices, according to FDA officials.
