Sesame Allergy

What Is Sesame Allergy?

The edible seeds of the sesame plant are a common ingredient in baked goods as well cuisines around the world. Research suggests this allergy has increased significantly worldwide over the past several decades.¹

When a person with an allergy to sesame is exposed to sesame, proteins in the sesame bind to specific IgE antibodies made by the person’s immune system. This triggers the person’s immune defenses, leading to reaction symptoms that can be mild or very severe.

On January 1, 2023, sesame became the ninth major allergen that must be labeled in plain language on packaged foods in the U.S.

Approximately 0.23% of children and adults in the U.S. are allergic to sesame.¹

Important 2025 Updates to FDA Labeling Guidance for Food Allergens

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Allergic Reactions to Sesame

Sensitivity to sesame varies from person to person, and reactions can be unpredictable. Symptoms of a sesame allergy reaction can range from mild, such as hives, to severe, such as anaphylaxis.

If you have a sesame allergy, always keep an epinephrine delivery device with you. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.

Avoiding Sesame

To prevent a reaction, it is very important to avoid sesame. Sesame ingredients can be listed by uncommon names.

Always read food labels and ask questions about ingredients before eating food that you have not prepared yourself.

Avoid foods that contain sesame or any of these ingredients:

Benne, benne seed, benniseed
Gingelly, gingelly oil
Gomasio (sesame salt)
Halvah
Sesame flour
Sesame oil*
Sesame paste
Sesame salt
Sesame seed
Sesamol
Sesamum indicum
Sesemolina
Sim sim
Tahini, Tahina, Tehina
Til

*Studies show that most people with specific food allergy can safely eat highly refined oils made from those foods (examples include highly refined peanut and soybean oils). However, sesame oil is not highly refined and should be avoided by people who are allergic to sesame.

Sesame in Spices or Flavorings

In packaged foods manufactured prior to January 1, 2023, sesame may appear undeclared in ingredients such as flavors or spice blends. If you are unsure whether a product could sesame, call the manufacturer to ask about their ingredients and manufacturing practices.

Spice blend and flavoring recipes are considered proprietary information. The manufacturer may not be able to share the entire ingredient list. Instead, ask if sesame is specifically used as an ingredient.

Foods That May Contain Sesame

Asian cuisine (sesame oil is commonly used in cooking)
Baked goods (such as bagels, bread, breadsticks, hamburger buns, and rolls)
Breadcrumbs
Cereals (such as granola and muesli)
Chips (such as bagel chips, pita chips, and tortilla chips)
Crackers (such as melba toast and sesame snap bars)
Dipping sauces (such as baba ghanoush and tahini sauce)
Dressings, gravies, marinades, and sauces
Falafel
Hummus
Flavored rice, noodles, risotto, shish kebabs, stews, and stir fry
Goma-dofu (Japanese dessert)
Herbs and herbal drinks
Margarine
Pasteli (Greek dessert)
Processed meats and sausages
Protein and energy bars
Snack foods (such as pretzels, candy, Halvah, Japanese snack mix, and rice cakes)
Soups
Sushi
Tempeh
Turkish cake
Vegetarian burgers

Allergens are not always present in these foods and products, but sesame can appear in surprising places. Again, read food labels and ask questions if you’re ever unsure about an item’s ingredients.

Non-Food Items that May Contain Sesame

In non-food items, the scientific name for sesame, Sesamum indicum, may be on the label.