Hydrogenated Sesame Oil

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Hydrogenated sesame oil is produced by catalytic hydrogenation of sesame (Sesamum indicum) seed oil, converting unsaturated fatty acids to a more saturated, solid or semi-solid fat with improved oxidative stability and shelf life. It is used primarily as an emollient, texture modifier, and structuring fat in food and cosmetic formulations.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

No E-number or INS code has been assigned by EFSA or Codex, indicating it is not used as a standalone regulated food additive in major jurisdictions; when fully hydrogenated it contains negligible trans fat, distinguishing it from partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) which the FDA determined are not GRAS due to cardiovascular risk. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concluded that hydrogenated sesame seed oil is neither an irritant, sensitizer, teratogen, nor carcinogen at relevant exposure levels; no specific ADI has been established by JECFA or EFSA for the food-use form. Sesame-allergic individuals face a risk of allergic reactions, and, as with all highly saturated fats, excessive consumption may contribute to raised LDL cholesterol.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Restricted	Hydrogenated sesame oil does not hold a specific E-number under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. Partially hydrogenated forms would fall under EU restrictions on industrially produced trans fatty acids (limited to 2g per 100g of fat in food for consumers since April 2021 under Regulation (EU) 2019/649). Fully hydrogenated sesame oil, if free of trans fat, is not specifically restricted but also not positively listed as an approved additive.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Restricted	FSSAI limits trans fatty acids in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to a maximum of 2% of total fat content (down from 3%) effective January 2022, per Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2021. Fully hydrogenated sesame oil with negligible trans fat content may be used; hydrogenated sesame oil is not individually listed in the FSSAI approved additives schedule.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Restricted	Fully hydrogenated sesame oil (no residual trans fat) is not explicitly listed in the FDA's revocation of PHOs; however, partially hydrogenated sesame oil falls under the FDA's 2015 final determination that PHOs are no longer GRAS, with compliance enforced from June 18, 2018. Fully hydrogenated vegetable oils may be self-affirmed GRAS by manufacturers but are not explicitly named in 21 CFR as approved food additives for sesame specifically.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Heart Disease — Partially hydrogenated sesame oil contains artificial trans fatty acids that raise LDL cholesterol and increase coronary heart disease risk, per FDA's 2015 determination and CDC/AHA guidance.

Hypertension — High saturated fat intake from hydrogenated oils is associated with cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension; individuals with hypertension should limit intake.

Nut Allergy — Sesame is a major allergen (designated Top 9 allergen by FDA since 2023 under FASTER Act); hydrogenated sesame oil may retain allergenic sesame proteins and trigger reactions in sesame-allergic individuals.

Pregnancy — Trans fatty acids from partially hydrogenated oils have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including pre-eclampsia risk; pregnant women should minimize intake of any partially hydrogenated fats.

Infants — Sesame allergy risk is heightened in infants with atopic conditions, and trans fat exposure in early life may adversely affect lipid metabolism development.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. Trans Fat | FDA. fda.gov
2other. ChemIDplus: Sesame oil (CAS 8008-74-0). chem.nlm.nih.gov
3FDA. Small Entity Compliance Guide: Revocation of Uses of Partially Hydrogenated Oils in Foods, 2023. fda.gov
4FDA. Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Removing Trans Fat), 2015. fda.gov
5PubMed. Amended safety assessment of Sesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil, hydrogenated sesame seed oil, Sesamum indicum (sesame) oil unsaponifiables, and sodium sesameseedate, 2011. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Independently researched5 citations