Allergen 11 of 14 · Se

Sesame: seeds on top, tahini inside

Sesame is easy to see on a bun and easy to miss in hummus, dressings, halva and spice mixes like za'atar.

Checked against the official guidance on 18 September 2026

What the law covers

Annex II lists “sesame seeds and products thereof”, including sesame oil and tahini.

Where it hides in a UK kitchen

In the free matrix builder, typing any of these ticks sesame automatically: Tahini, Hummus, Sesame seeds. These prompt a label check instead, because it depends on the recipe or the brand: Bread, Burger bun, Bagel, Hoisin sauce, Sushi, Egg fried rice, Chow mein, Falafel, Kebab, Burger.

Cross-contact to think about

• Seeds shedding from buns in a bakery or a burger line.
• Shared trays and toasters.

Where your risk assessment finds a risk you cannot control, mark the dish “may contain” on the matrix. Don't use it as a blanket statement: when “may contain” is justified.

On a PPDS label

The FSA wants the allergen named when the ingredient's name doesn't say it.

Make a PPDS label with allergens emphasised automatically →

Mistakes we see on matrices

• Unseeded buns baked on the same tray as seeded ones.
• Hummus not ticked for sesame.