A comprehensive safety review of common sesame products in Hong Kong revealed widespread contamination, with four popular brands exceeding local action limits for plasticizers by staggering amounts, and one product containing a potential carcinogen above European standards. The Hong Kong Consumer Council (OCC), in its latest issue of Choice magazine (No. 566), disclosed that 27 out of 35 tested samples of sesame oil, powder, and paste contained various pollutants, raising significant health concerns for consumers.
The Council conducted the analysis on 35 samples—20 sesame oils, 10 sesame powders, and five sesame pastes—collected from local supermarkets and department stores between November and December 2022. The alarming results highlighted that three sesame oil samples and one sesame powder sample contained plasticizers (DBP, DEHP, and DINP) at levels exceeding the Food Safety Centre’s (CFS) action criteria. Furthermore, one sesame oil sample registered levels of the genotoxic carcinogen glycidol that surpassed European Union standards.
Plasticizers and Carcinogens Found in Leading Brands
The most concerning findings related to phthalate plasticizers, substances known to potentially disrupt the endocrine and reproductive systems in laboratory animals following prolonged exposure, potentially impacting organs like the liver and kidneys.
Specifically, the “Koon Yick Wah Kee” Blended Sesame Oil recorded exceptionally high levels of DBP, measuring 24 mg per kilogram, which is 79 times the CFS action level. This blended oil also exceeded the limit for DEHP by 46 times, registering 71 mg/kg. “Tung Chun” Small Mill Sesame Oil also surpassed DBP limits (5.3 mg/kg), while “Green Dot Dot” 100% Pure Black Sesame Powder exceeded the DBP threshold (0.8 mg/kg).
The genetically toxic compound glycidol, a processing contaminant, was detected in 13 sesame oil samples. One major brand, “Amoy” Premium Aromatic Black Sesame Oil, contained 2,100 micrograms of glycidol per kilogram, exceeding the EU safety standard (1,000 micrograms/kg) by 1.1 times.
Identifying Safer Choices for Consumers
Despite the widespread contamination, the OCC analysis provided crucial guidance for consumers seeking safer alternatives by awarding high ratings to products that demonstrated superior safety and quality profiles.
Seven sesame oil products achieved the coveted five-star overall rating in the assessment. These included:
- CRUDIGNO Organic Cold Pressed Sesame Seed Oil
- Chi Chu Cold Pressed Sesame Oil
- Bio Planete Organic Virgin Cold Pressed Sesame Oil
- Topvalu Bestprice Japanese Pure Sesame Oil
- Kuki Pure Black Sesame Oil
- Yamada-Seiyu First Pressed Black Sesame Oil
- CARWARI Organic Extra Virgin Sesame Oil
Additionally, multiple sesame powder and paste products were granted five-star reviews, indicating minimal or no detectable contamination. These include major local and international brands, offering consumers vetted options for popular condiments and ingredients.
Five-Star Sesame Powders and Pastes:
| Product Category | Selected Top-Rated Brands |
| :— | :— |
| Sesame Powder | Shang Lin Cottage, Ma Yu Shan, Yuhua Chinese Products, Health Era, Kobebussan, Lang Chulin, Xiang Wei |
| Sesame Paste | Sesame House Black Sesame Paste, macro Certified Organic Unhulled Tahini, Duoduo Black Sesame Paste |
The Consumer Council emphasized that while the samples with high contamination levels, such as those from Koon Yick Wah Kee, Tung Chun, and Amoy, are under regulatory review by the Food Safety Centre, consumers should exercise caution when purchasing these specific batches. This review underscores the ongoing need for rigorous testing and tighter regulatory standards on imported and locally manufactured food products to safeguard public health against pollutants accumulated during processing and packaging. Consumers are advised to refer to the official OCC test results before making purchasing decisions.