Toasted or dark sesame oil is generally not safe with a sesame allergy, because it is usually unrefined and retains sesame protein. Highly refined light sesame oil contains far less protein and is legally exempt from allergen labelling, but there is no reliable way to tell refining status from a supermarket label. Most allergists advise people with sesame allergy to avoid sesame oil in all forms unless a specific product has been cleared with them.

Yes. Traditional hummus is made with tahini, which is ground sesame seeds, so it is not safe if you have a sesame allergy. Some brands vary the amount, but you should assume any standard hummus contains sesame unless the label clearly says otherwise.

The FASTER Act added sesame as the ninth major food allergen, with the labelling requirement taking effect on 1 January 2023. Packaged foods sold in the US must now declare sesame. The change did not remove the exemption for highly refined oils, so refined sesame oil can still appear without an allergen callout.

No. Tahini is nothing but ground sesame, so it carries the entire sesame allergen. If you are allergic to sesame seeds you must avoid tahini and any hummus or dressing built on it.

Yes, though less so than whole sesame. Our data puts whole sesame seeds at the maximum oxalate grade and hulled sesame one tier below, which reflects the hull carrying the bulk of the oxalate. For anyone with a history of calcium-oxalate stones that makes hulled the better of the two choices, but not a low-oxalate food. Flax seeds grade clean on oxalate and fill much the same role as a topping.