Allergen card
Free sesame allergy card
A sesame card should name sesame seeds, sesame oil, and tahini, including burger buns and hummus.
How to use this card
Sesame became a major US allergen on labels, but restaurant menus still treat it as a garnish. Burger buns, bagel toppings, tahini, hummus, halvah, and sesame oil in East Asian cooking are the usual sources.
The card should mention seeds, oil, and tahini. Kitchens that remove the visible seeds still fry in sesame oil or swipe a bun that was sitting in a sesame-seed bin.
Ask whether the bun is sesame, whether hummus or tahini is in the sauce, and whether the wok oil includes sesame. Those questions match how sesame actually gets into plates.
Sesame beyond the bun
Burger and bagel buns
Even “plain” buns may be stored with sesame buns or baked on the same tray.
Tahini and hummus
Dressings, bowls, and “garlic sauce” at Mediterranean restaurants are often tahini-based.
Sesame oil
A teaspoon in a stir-fry is enough for many people and rarely listed on the menu.
Spice mixes
Za’atar, everything seasoning, and furikake usually include sesame.
Questions about this card
- Should the card mention tahini?
- Yes. Tahini is sesame. Staff who understand “no seeds” still serve hummus unless you name the paste.
- What about sesame oil?
- Include it if you react to it. In many East Asian kitchens sesame oil is a finishing drizzle, not an ingredient they think to flag.
- Where can I read more about sesame when eating out?
- The sesame eating-out guide on this site covers hidden sources and the questions that get useful answers.
A card helps you communicate. It does not guarantee a meal is free from an allergen. Confirm ingredients, preparation, and cross-contact with restaurant staff, and follow the emergency plan from your healthcare professional.