Pre-orderPre-order

Allergen

Sesame on food labels: other names and where it hides

Sesame comes as seeds, oil and paste, and sits on burger buns, bagels and crackers and inside snack bars and dressings. It is one of the main food allergens, so packaged food must name it; the US added it to its list in 2023. Bravoora reads sesame and its other names, such as benne and gingelly, in the language the label is printed in.

By Bravoora teamPublished Updated Sources checked 8 sourcesHow we check

Black and white sesame seeds in a dark ceramic bowl.

On this page

What are the other names for sesame on a label?

Sesame seedsSesame oilBenne seedsGingelly oilSesame pasteTilHalvaRashiTahinHummusSesameSimsimTahinaTahiniSesamolZa'atar mixTahini sauceBaba ghanoushSesame butterHalawa tahiniyaSesame seed oilSesamum indicum

The free label checker marks every name on this list. Try the label checker · How Bravoora decides

More sesame names in the dictionary

Black sesameHusked sesame seedSesame seed bunSesame seedsWhite sesameWhite sesame seeds

Where is sesame found?

  • Burger buns, bagels, bread and crackers are often topped with sesame seeds.
  • Sesame paste goes into dips, dressings and some sweets.
  • Gomashio and other seed and spice blends include sesame.
  • Dressings, sauces and snack bars can contain sesame or sesame oil.

Is sesame a major allergen?

Yes. Sesame is one of the main food allergens, so packaged food must name it; the US added it to its list on 1 January 2023.

AllergenUSUK and EuropeGulf
SesameRequiredSince 1 January 2023RequiredRequired

Sources checked 22 September 2026. All allergen guides

Which diets and allergies does sesame fit?

VeganFits youIt comes from a plant.
Sesame allergyNot for youIt is sesame. Also check “may contain sesame” warnings.

A packed product can still carry a “may contain” warning, so check the pack.

Does sesame fit you?

Pick what applies to you:

Pick at least one to see your answer.

Build my profile

What is sesame?

Sesame is a seed used whole, as an oil and as a paste. It is one of the major food allergens that must be declared on labels in the US, the UK, the EU and the Gulf. In the US it became the ninth major allergen on 1 January 2023.

How does Bravoora check for sesame?

Bravoora is a calorie tracker and ingredient checker app. Scan a pack and it answers for each person on your plan.

Bravoora looks for sesame and its other names in the ingredient list and in “may contain” statements, and never mixes the two up.

How Bravoora decides, in full

More questions about sesame

Is sesame vegan?

Yes. It comes from a plant.

Sources and how to cite this guide

  1. US FDA: Food allergies
  2. UK Food Standards Agency: Allergen guidance
  3. European Union: Regulation 1169/2011 on food information to consumers, Annex II
  4. US FDA: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergen Labeling, Edition 5 (January 2025)
  5. FARE: Update to FDA guidance for food allergen labeling (tree nuts and coconut, January 2025)
  6. GCC Standardization Organization: GSO 9:2022, labelling of prepackaged food (current edition)
  7. GCC Standardization Organization: GSO 9/2013 English text, clause 5.2.5 (the allergen list as published)
  8. FAO/WHO international food labelling standard (CXS 1-1985, revised 2024)

To cite this guide: Bravoora, “Sesame on food labels: other names and where it hides”, bravoora.app/ingredients/sesame/, updated 12 October 2026.

Spotted something wrong or missing? Tell us.

General information, not medical advice. Rules differ by country and products change, so always check the pack.

Related articles

How to read a food label for allergens: EU, UK, US and Gulf rulesRead the articleWhere sesame hides: everyday foods and names on the labelRead the articleHow often does a food label say “may contain”, allergen by allergen?Read the article

Create a website profile with the things you avoid and the people you check for.

Build my profile

Saved to your account. On launch day, sign in to the app with the same email and carry on where you left off.