Sesame in the United Kingdom: label rules and introduction guidance

Is sesame on the UK's list of 14 allergens?

Sesame is one of the FSA's 14 allergens and, like the EU entry the UK kept, carries no exemptions. Sesame seeds on a bread roll, tahini in hummus and sesame oil in a dressing must all be emphasised in the ingredient list. Sesame has been on the UK and EU lists far longer than in the US, which only added it in 2023. Natasha's Law brought shop-made items such as a hummus wrap or a seeded bagel packed on site into the full-labelling rule.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) lists the same 14 allergens as the EU; the EU rules were kept when the UK left and are now assimilated law. On prepacked food, an allergen must be emphasised each time it appears in the ingredient list. Food prepacked for direct sale, packed on the same premises that sell it, needs a full ingredient list with allergens emphasised, the rule known as Natasha's Law since October 2021. Loose food still needs allergen information, given in writing or verbally with a clear written notice.

• Food Standards Agency: Allergen guidance for food businesses

What NHS guidance says about introducing sesame

The NHS lists seeds, particularly sesame seeds, among the foods that can trigger allergic reactions and advises serving seeds finely ground rather than whole. Sesame follows the same one-at-a-time approach from around 6 months as the other allergens, so it is best offered as the only new allergen in a meal. Smooth tahini is one finely ground form many families use. If your baby has eczema or another food allergy, your GP or health visitor can advise before the first taste.

In the UK, the NHS advises introducing the foods that can trigger allergic reactions one at a time from around 6 months, so that you can spot any reaction. If your baby has eczema or there is a family history of allergy, the NHS suggests talking to your GP or health visitor first.

• NHS: Food allergies in babies and young children

Logging sesame in the app

The UK and EU lists match, so UK families get the same 14-allergen schedule as the EU. In the schedule, sesame appears as Sesame. Each allergen entry moves from not started to introduced, cleared or reaction, and the 14-day window keeps new foods spaced out so a delayed reaction is easier to match to a food. Note the form, such as tahini stirred into a purée, so you can repeat the same food later. If you see a symptom, log it with its severity; the paediatrician report gathers the dates into one PDF for your next appointment. It is a record for you and your doctor, not a diagnosis.