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Nissin Pure Sesame Oil is made from deep-roasted sesame seeds, slowly and carefully pressed to achieve a rich aroma and mellow flavor. The exceptionally rich sesame flavor enhances your dishes. Carefully selected high-quality sesame seeds are deep-roasted and pressed to produce a uniquely rich, mellow, and aromatic sesame flavor.
The Hong Kong Consumer Council's testing of 35 sesame products found that several sesame oils contained excessive levels of plasticizers (such as DBP and DEHP), with the highest exceeding 79 times the permitted limit. Guan Yi Hua Ji's sesame oil was particularly high. These plasticizers may harm the reproductive system, liver, and kidney health. Furthermore, 13 sesame oils were found to contain the carcinogen glycidol, with Tao Da's premium black sesame oil exceeding EU standards.
Plasticizers, Glycidol, 3-MCPD
Plasticizers
Phthalates, also known as plasticizers, are lipophilic chemicals that increase the elasticity and flexibility of plastics. They migrate more to foods with higher temperatures, longer contact times, high fat content, and acidic conditions. Studies have shown that plasticizers are endocrine disruptors, and long-term exposure to them may affect the development and growth of the reproductive system, as well as the health of other organs such as the liver and kidneys, in experimental animals.
Five Plasticizers
DEHP, DBP, DIDP, DINP, and BBP were tested. EU regulations stipulate that these five plasticizers may only be used in materials and articles that come into contact with or contain non-oily foods (once or more) and are not suitable for use in materials that come into contact with or contain oily foods. The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has set action levels for these five plasticizers: DEHP and DBP should not exceed 1.5 mg and 0.3 mg per kilogram (based on food content), respectively; DIDP and DINP should not exceed 9 mg per kilogram combined; and BBP should not exceed 30 mg per kilogram.
Three sesame oils and one sesame powder were found to contain excessive levels of DBP.
Three sesame oils, two sesame powders, and one sesame paste were found to contain DBP, ranging from 0.16 mg to 24 mg per kilogram. Among them, samples of "Kwun Yik Wah Kee" sesame oil (blended) (#18, 24 mg/kg), "Tung Chun" finely milled sesame oil (#19, 5.3 mg/kg), and "Dot Dot Green" 100% pure black sesame powder (#30, 0.80 mg/kg) exceeded the CFS's action level.
Sixteen samples of sesame oil, three types of sesame powder, and one type of sesame paste were found to contain DEHP, with levels ranging from 0.12 mg to 71 mg/kg. Among them, samples of "Kwun Yik Wah Kee" sesame oil (blended) (#18, 71 mg/kg) and "Tao Da" premium black sesame oil (#20, 3.6 mg/kg) exceeded the CFS's action level.
Five sesame oils and one sesame powder were found to contain DINP, ranging from 0.64 mg to 3.6 mg per kilogram. The highest level was found in Kobebussan Black Sesame Powder (#25), but the level did not exceed the CFS's action level.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has established a combined tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.05 mg per kilogram of body weight (DEHP equivalents) for DEHP, DBP, BBP, and DINP. For a 60-kilogram person, the combined TDI for DEHP, DBP, BBP, and DINP is 3 mg (DEHP equivalents). Long-term daily consumption of more than 15.7 grams of sample #18 would exceed the intake limit. For example, for a 5-year-old girl weighing 19 kg, the combined tolerable daily intake of DEHP, DBP, BBP, and DINP is 0.95 mg (expressed as DEHP equivalents). Consuming more than 5.0 grams of the sesame oil sample daily for a long period of time would exceed the intake limit.
In addition to sesame oil, consumers may also ingest plasticizers from other foods. Although the sesame oil sample does not indicate a serving size, the serving sizes indicated on other samples range from 2.5 grams to 14 grams. Therefore, individuals and children who consume a lot of sesame oil should pay attention to their intake.
3-MCPD and Its Fatty Acid Esters
3-MCPD fatty acid esters (3-MCPDE) are formed when oils and fats undergo a high-temperature deodorization process at temperatures exceeding 160°C, where they react with chlorinated compounds. 3-MCPDE undergoes extensive hydrolysis in the gastrointestinal tract, releasing 3-MCPD. According to reports from the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority, long-term daily exposure to excessive amounts of 3-MCPD in laboratory animals can damage kidney function, the central nervous system, and affect the male reproductive system.
A 2023 Consumer Council test (Issue 566, December 2023) showed that 13 sesame oil samples were found to contain 3-MCPD, with levels ranging from 120 micrograms to 2,300 micrograms per kilogram, a significant variation. The highest level was found in Taoda Premium Black Sesame Oil (#20). Currently, the Codex Alimentarius Commission and Hong Kong do not have laws regulating the levels of 3-MCPD, 3-MCPDE, glycidol, and glycidyl fatty acid esters in cooking oils. However, according to EU standards, sesame oil is classified as "other vegetable oils" (non-coconut, corn, rapeseed, sunflower, soybean, palm kernel, and olive oils). Sesame oil and sesame oil mixtures are classified as "other vegetable oils and mixtures of other vegetable oils" in the same category, while sesame oil and rapeseed/soybean oil mixtures are classified as "oils and mixtures of oils" in two categories. The maximum limit for the sum of 3-MCPD and 3-MCPDE (expressed as 3-MCPD) is 2,500 micrograms per kilogram for all samples, and none exceeded the EU standard.
Glycidyl fatty acid esters (expressed as glycidol)
One sample exceeded the EU standard.
Glycidyl fatty acid esters (GE) are formed during the deodorization process of oils at temperatures exceeding 200°C. GE undergoes extensive hydrolysis in the gastrointestinal tract, releasing glycidol. Glycidol is a genotoxic carcinogen. JECFA and the European Food Safety Authority recommend that people minimize their intake of genotoxic carcinogens (ALARP/A). Therefore, a safe intake limit cannot be established for glycidyl fatty acid esters. However, to protect consumer health, the EU has set a limit of 1,000 micrograms per kilogram for glycidyl fatty acid esters (expressed as glycidol) in vegetable oils and fats, fish oils and other marine oils and fats (excluding vegetable oils and fats, fish oils and other marine oils and fats used in the production of baby food and processed infant cereals, and extra virgin olive oil) for final consumption by consumers or as food ingredients.
The test revealed that 13 sesame oil samples were found to contain glycidol, with levels ranging from 120 to 2,100 micrograms per kilogram (μg/kg), a significant variation. The level found in Taoda's premium black sesame oil (#20, 2,100 μg/kg) exceeded the EU standard of 1,000 μg/kg.
Some virgin sesame oil samples were found to contain 3-MCPD and glycidol.
3-MCPDE and glycidyl fatty acid esters are formed during the high-temperature refining process. Virgin and cold-pressed oils are mechanically pressed without the use of high-temperature refining or other chemicals. Previous studies have shown that virgin and cold-pressed oils do not contain these substances. Of the six sesame oil samples tested, four (#1, #2, #3, and #11) claimed to be cold-pressed virgin or extra virgin, were found to contain no 3-MCPD or glycidol. The remaining two samples, CARWARI Organic Extra Virgin Sesame Oil (#7), were found to contain 120 micrograms of 3-MCPD and 250 micrograms of glycidol per kilogram; and Donghe Cold-Pressed Virgin Black Sesame Oil (#16), contained 940 micrograms of 3-MCPD per kilogram. While these two samples are unlikely to pose a health risk in normal consumption, they may have been subjected to high-temperature processing or contaminated with non-cold-pressed or refined oils, potentially violating the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. Studies have also shown that high-temperature roasting of seeds is the primary factor that significantly increases the levels of glycidyl fatty acid esters, 3-MCPD, and 3-MCPDE in pressed oils. Information on these samples has been forwarded to Customs for follow-up.
Benzo[a]pyrene and Aflatoxins
All Comply with Legal Requirements
Test results showed that Hu Zhenxing's Premium Black Sesame Oil (#17) contained 1.0 micrograms of benzo[a]pyrene per kilogram, which did not exceed the Hong Kong regulatory limit (5 micrograms per kilogram) or the EU upper limit (2 micrograms per kilogram).
Delicious Stack's 100% Pure Black Sesame Powder (#28) and Cypressa's Middle Eastern Tahini (#35) both contained aflatoxins, with total levels of 0.1 micrograms and 0.2 micrograms per kilogram, respectively, both meeting Hong Kong regulatory requirements (10 micrograms per kilogram).
Nutrient Test Results
Saturated Fatty Acids
Saturated fatty acids are primarily derived from animal fat and can increase blood levels of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol).
Per 100g, the average saturated fatty acid content in sesame oil was 13.5g, in sesame powder it was 7.3g, and in sesame paste it was 9.4g. The sesame oil samples with the highest and lowest saturated fatty acid content were Zhichu (#2, 15.0g) and Tongzhen (#19, 10.4g), respectively, with a difference of approximately 44%. The sesame powder samples with the highest and lowest saturated fatty acid content were Jiazhixuan (#29, 7.7g) and Dot Dot Green (#30, 6.7g), respectively, with a difference of only approximately 15%. The sesame paste samples with the highest and lowest saturated fatty acid content were Duoduo (#33, 13.2g) and Zhimawu (#31, 7.4g), respectively, with a difference of approximately 78%. Based on an adult consuming 2,000 kcal per day, consuming one serving (9g) of sesame oil sample #2, the highest content among all samples, would result in an intake of approximately 1.35g of saturated fatty acids, representing approximately 6.1% of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended daily intake limit of 22.2g of saturated fatty acids for adults.
Trans Fatty Acids
Trans fatty acids increase blood levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) while decreasing good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol). Long-term consumption of high amounts of trans fatty acids increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Per 100g, the average trans fatty acid content in sesame oil was 0.472g, in sesame powder it was 0.045g, and in sesame paste it was 0.063g. Three sesame oil samples (#1, #2, and #3), one sesame powder sample (#24), and one sesame paste sample (#34) were free of trans fatty acids. The sample with the highest trans fatty acid content was "Donghe" Cold-Pressed Virgin Black Sesame Oil (#16, 1.01g); the sample with the lowest detected level was "Kobebussan" Black Sesame Powder (#25, 0.031g). For an adult consuming 2,000 kcal per day, consuming a 10g serving of sample #16 would result in approximately 0.101g of trans fatty acids, representing approximately 4.6% of the WHO's recommended daily upper limit of 2.2g for adults.
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids
The WHO recommends replacing saturated and trans fatty acids with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids to help reduce bad cholesterol and lower total cholesterol levels in the blood.
The test results showed that per 100g, the average monounsaturated fatty acid content in sesame oil was 35.6g, in sesame powder it was 18.7g, and in sesame paste it was 19.9g. The sesame oil samples with the highest and lowest monounsaturated fatty acid content were Tong Zhen (#19, 42.6g) and Yamada Oil (#6, 31.5g), respectively, with a difference of approximately 35%. The sesame powder samples with the highest and lowest content were Yuhua National Products (#23, 20.6g) and Dot Dot Green (#30, 15.9g), respectively, with a difference of approximately 30%. The sesame paste samples with the highest and lowest content were Cypressa (#35, 23.1g) and Duo Duo (#33, 14.8g), respectively, with a difference of approximately 56%.
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, omega-3 (n-3) linolenic acid (ALA) and omega-6 (n-6) linoleic acid (LA) in polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential fatty acids that cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained through food. Adequate intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids supports the development of the skin, retina, and brain nerves in fetuses and developing children.
The test results showed that, per 100g, the average polyunsaturated fatty acid content in sesame oil was 39.0g, in sesame powder it was 21.6g, and in sesame paste it was 22.4g. The sesame oil samples with the highest and lowest polyunsaturated fatty acid content were M&S Food (#10, 42.7g) and Tongzhen (#19, 36.5g), respectively, with a difference of approximately 17%. The sesame powder samples with the highest and lowest polyunsaturated fatty acid content were Healthy Times (#24, 23.0g) and Shanglin's Little House (#21, 19.5g), respectively, with a difference of approximately 18%. The sesame paste samples with the highest and lowest polyunsaturated fatty acid content were Cypressa (#35, 26.5g) and Duoduo (#33, 18.7g), respectively, with a difference of approximately 42%.
