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Sesame oil

Sesame oil suppliers and sourcing guide

Sesame oil is pressed or extracted from the seeds of Sesamum indicum. It comes in two main styles: light oil from raw seed, sold cold-pressed or refined, and toasted (dark) oil pressed from roasted seed, which has a strong flavor and amber color and is used mainly as a seasoning. Refined oil is degummed, neutralized, bleached and deodorized. Sesame oil contains the lignans sesamin and sesamolin, which make it slower to go rancid than most seed oils.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Sesamum indicum seed oil · Sesameseed oil · Gingelly oil · Til oil
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of sesame oil

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Refined (RBD)

    Refined, bleached and deodorized oil with a pale color and mild flavor, used for cooking and as a carrier oil.

  • Cold-pressed

    Oil pressed from raw seed and filtered without refining, keeping a light sesame flavor.

  • Toasted

    Dark oil pressed from roasted seed, used in small amounts for flavor in sauces, dressings and Asian-style foods.

  • Organic

    Cold-pressed, refined or toasted oil from certified organic seed, with the certificate tied to the lot.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Fatty acid profile
Fatty acids by GC as methyl esters, compared with the expected range for the oil; the main check against blending with cheaper oils.
Free fatty acids and peroxide value
Free fatty acids (or acid value) by titration and peroxide value (for example AOCS Ca 5a-40 and Cd 8b-90); both rise as the oil ages or is handled poorly.
Color and flavor
Lovibond color and a flavor or odor check against the grade; color separates refined, cold-pressed and toasted oils.
PAH (benzo[a]pyrene)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by GC-MS or HPLC with fluorescence detection, mainly for toasted oil, where roasting can form them.
Moisture and impurities
Moisture and insoluble impurities, which affect clarity and keeping quality of unrefined oils.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store sealed in a cool, dark place, away from heat and air; refined and cold-pressed oils keep well, while toasted oil loses aroma faster once opened. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, with free fatty acids and peroxide value retested on aged stock.

Lots and expiry dates

Record the style (refined, cold-pressed or toasted) and seed origin for each lot, since color and flavor vary with seed and roast level. Keep the supplier's refining statement on file for allergen labeling decisions.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • The Codex Standard for Named Vegetable Oils, as printed in FAO's 2001 edition of Codex Alimentarius Volume 8, defines sesameseed oil as derived from the seeds of Sesamum indicum.

    Source: fao.org (opens in a new tab)

  • The EU Novel Food status Catalogue (entry POL-NF-00693) covers the oil from the seed of Sesamum indicum and lists it as not novel in food.

    Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

  • FDA's food allergen guidance (Edition 5) states that the FASTER Act of 2021 added sesame to the definition of major food allergen, and that highly refined oils are specifically exempt from that definition.

    Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Sesame oil suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking sesame oil suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell sesame oil? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of sesame oil can brands buy?

Common forms include refined (RBD), cold-pressed, toasted and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for sesame oil include?

Expect fatty acid profile, free fatty acids and peroxide value, color and flavor, pAH (benzo[a]pyrene) and moisture and impurities, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should sesame oil be stored?

Store sealed in a cool, dark place, away from heat and air; refined and cold-pressed oils keep well, while toasted oil loses aroma faster once opened. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, with free fatty acids and peroxide value retested on aged stock.

What is the regulatory status of sesame oil?

The Codex Standard for Named Vegetable Oils, as printed in FAO's 2001 edition of Codex Alimentarius Volume 8, defines sesameseed oil as derived from the seeds of Sesamum indicum. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue (entry POL-NF-00693) covers the oil from the seed of Sesamum indicum and lists it as not novel in food. FDA's food allergen guidance (Edition 5) states that the FASTER Act of 2021 added sesame to the definition of major food allergen, and that highly refined oils are specifically exempt from that definition.

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