Information › Allergies › Sesame
Sesame allergy
Sesame seed, sesame oil and tahini are a mandatory allergen. Reactions can be severe, and sesame is on and in far more products than the seeds on a roll.
At a glance
- Kind
- Legal allergen (EU)
- On the label
- In bold in the ingredient list
- Also as
- sesamzaad, tahin, tahini, sesamolie, sesampasta
- Without sesame
- 27.046 products
- Supermarkets
- AH, Jumbo, PLUS, Dirk and Hoogvliet
Recognise
On the label as
- sesamzaad
- tahin
- tahini
- sesamolie
- sesampasta
- Sesame is in bold as ‘sesam’ or ‘sesamzaad’; tahin (sesame paste) and sesamolie (sesame oil) count too.
- Hummus, falafel, halva, crackers, rolls, stir-fry mixes and many bakery products are sources.
Shopping
Examples without sesame
- Mora Gyoza groenteMora · 264 gAlbert Heijn € 3,79PLUS € 3,79Bevat: Glutenbevattende Granen, Soja, TarweKan sporen bevatten: Selderij
- Saongwon Kimchi pancake mini sizeSaongwon · 300 gAlbert Heijn € 4,79Bevat: Glutenbevattende Granen, Soja, Tarwe
- Mora Gyoza kip sweet chiliMora · 264 gAlbert Heijn € 3,79Bevat: Glutenbevattende Granen, Soja, TarweKan sporen bevatten: Selderij
- AH Gyoza mangoAH · 250 gAlbert Heijn € 2,99Bevat: Glutenbevattende Granen, Soja, Tarwe
- Leksands Zweeds Rogge Knackebrod Punt zuurdesemLeksands · 200 gAlbert Heijn € 2,59 1+1Jumbo € 2,59Hoogvliet € 2,59PLUS € 2,59Bevat: Gerst, Glutenbevattende Granen, Rogge, Tarwe
- Knusperbrot dunkelSchär · 125 gHoogvliet € 2,09Albert Heijn € 2,19Jumbo € 2,19PLUS € 2,19Kan sporen bevatten: Soja
All 27.046 products without sesame
What to look out for in the shop
- Bakery products often carry a trace warning for sesame, rightly so: loose seed spreads easily.
- Sesame oil is unrefined and contains the protein; it is not safe with an allergy.
Good to know
Recently with sesame in the recipe (8)These products recently took sesame onto their label: the recipe changed. This is exactly where reading the label matters most.
Cross-contamination and “may contain traces”Loose sesame seeds contaminate easily, which is why bakery products often carry a trace warning.
Loose sesame seeds contaminate easily, which is why bakery products often carry a trace warning. Sesame oil is unrefined and contains the protein.
Symptoms and when to see a doctorSesame allergy can cause severe reactions, comparable to a nut allergy: swelling, hives, breathing difficulty.
Short of breath, a swelling tongue or throat, or dizzy after eating? Use the adrenaline auto-injector if one has been prescribed and call 112 straight away. Even if it then seems to get better.
Sesame allergy can cause severe reactions, comparable to a nut allergy: swelling, hives, breathing difficulty. It is most common in people who are also allergic to nuts.
Is there sesame in hummus?
Yes, hummus contains tahini, a sesame paste. Sesame-free versions exist.
Is sesame oil safe with a sesame allergy?
No. Sesame oil is not refined and contains the allergen.
Is there sesame in bread?
On many rolls and in some bread mixes. ‘Sesam’ or ‘sesamzaad’ is in bold.
What this site does and does not do
We read the ingredient list and the allergen declaration as the supermarket publishes them, and hide every product that contains the allergen. Products without allergen information are hidden by default too: unknown is not the same as safe. What we cannot do is read the pack in the shop. Recipes change, and the information here can lag behind. When in doubt the label in your hand decides, and for questions about your health your doctor or dietitian.
Other allergens
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex II: the fourteen allergens that must be on the label.
- The ingredient lists and allergen declarations of Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS, Dirk and Hoogvliet, re-read every week.
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