Sesame, mustard, celery and lupin, the overlooked allergens
In short: Sesame, mustard, celery and lupin are on the EU’s list of 14 allergens and often hide in tahini, spice mixes, stock cubes, sauces and gluten-free flours. In the US only sesame is a major allergen, so mustard, celery and lupin can sit unnamed in “spices”. Read spice and flavouring entries carefully, especially on imported food.
Milk, egg, peanuts and gluten get most of the attention. But the EU allergen list also includes sesame, mustard, celery and lupin, which turn up in surprising places, often in spice mixes, sauces and "free-from" products. If you live in or travel to Europe, or buy imported food, these four are worth knowing.
| Allergen | EU / UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Sesame | Must be emphasised | Major allergen since 1 January 2023 |
| Mustard | Must be emphasised | Not a major allergen |
| Celery | Must be emphasised | Not a major allergen |
| Lupin | Must be emphasised | Not a major allergen |
Canada also lists mustard and sesame as priority allergens. For the full lists, see the 14 EU allergens and the 9 US allergens.
Sesame
Sesame seeds and oil are used in breads, crackers, dips and many cuisines.
Names and foods: sesame seeds, sesame oil (toasted or cold-pressed oil is not exempt), tahini / tahina, hummus, halva / halvah, gomasio, za'atar, dukkah, benne seeds, simsim, gingelly oil, til (in South Asian foods). Sesame is also in sushi rolls, burger buns, bagels, falafel, many Asian sauces and dressings, and some vegetarian burgers. On cosmetics it appears as Sesamum Indicum (seed oil).
US note: when sesame labelling became mandatory in 2023, the FDA reported that some manufacturers chose to add sesame to products and label it, rather than keep it out through cleaning. Breads and buns that never contained sesame may now list it. Always re-read the label.
Mustard
Mustard is a strong allergen in some people. It is common in French and other European cooking and is often hidden.
Names and foods: mustard, mustard seed (yellow, brown or black), mustard flour, mustard powder, mustard oil, mustard leaves and greens, Dijon, wholegrain mustard. It also turns up in mayonnaise, salad dressings, vinaigrettes, ketchup and barbecue sauces, marinades, curry powder and other spice blends, piccalilli, pickles, chutneys, sausages and cured meats, and crisps flavourings.
US note: on US labels mustard may be hidden inside "spices" or "natural flavor". Contact the manufacturer if you need to be sure.
Celery
The celery allergen covers the whole plant: stalks, leaves, seeds and root (celeriac).
Names and foods: celery, celeriac, celery seed, celery salt, celery powder, celery juice, celery leaf. It is common in stock cubes and bouillon, soups, sauces, ready meals, salads (such as Waldorf), spice mixes and some Bloody Mary mixes. Celery powder or juice is used as a "natural" curing agent in some "nitrite-free" hams and bacon, because it is naturally rich in nitrate.
Celery allergy is more common in parts of central Europe and is sometimes linked to birch or mugwort pollen allergy. Ask your allergist about related foods.
Lupin
Lupin is a legume, related to peanuts and soy. People with peanut allergy may be more likely to react to lupin, so ask your allergist.
Names and foods: lupin flour, lupin protein, lupin seeds, lupini beans (a pickled snack in Italy, Portugal and Spain, tremoços or altramuces). Lupin flour is used in some breads, pastries, pizza bases, pasta, waffles and in gluten-free, high-protein and vegan products, because it is gluten-free and rich in protein.
Travel note: lupin is more common in parts of Europe than in the UK or US. When eating out abroad, ask about flour in breads and batters.
Tips for these four allergens
- Read spice and flavouring entries. In the EU and UK, mustard and celery in a spice mix must be emphasised. In the US they can sit inside a generic "spices" entry.
- Watch "free-from" and vegan products. Lupin, pea protein and sesame are popular replacements for wheat, milk and egg.
- Ask about stocks and sauces when eating out. Celery and mustard are base ingredients in many kitchens. A restaurant allergy card helps abroad.
- Check imported products. A product made for the US market may not emphasise mustard, celery or lupin, even if it is sold in Europe with a sticker.
How IngrediLens helps
IngrediLens includes sesame, mustard and celery among its allergen filters. Premium custom keyword filters let you add lupin or any other ingredient you react to. The app highlights names like tahini, celeriac, celery salt, mustard flour and Sesamum Indicum on food and cosmetic labels, and flags "may contain" statements. It reads labels in six European languages, which helps with imported products. Always read the pack, because the app can miss words.
Ingredient list allergen checker
Paste an ingredient list and see which of your allergens and “may contain” warnings it mentions.
Open the free toolCheck labels with IngrediLens
Point your iPhone camera at an ingredient list and IngrediLens highlights the allergens you chose and “may contain” statements. Free to start, no account, and your data stays on your device.
Download on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
Is sesame a major allergen in the US?
Yes. Since 1 January 2023, under the FASTER Act, sesame is the ninth major food allergen and must be declared on US labels. It has been on the EU list since the 14 allergens came into force.
Do US labels declare mustard, celery or lupin?
No. They are allergens in the EU and UK but not major allergens in the US, so a US label lists them only as ordinary ingredients and may hide them inside "spices" or "natural flavors".
What foods contain lupin?
Lupin flour and lupin protein are used in some breads, pastries, pasta and gluten-free or vegan products, especially in parts of Europe. Lupini beans are eaten as a snack in Mediterranean countries.
Is celery salt an allergen?
Yes. Celery salt is ground celery seed mixed with salt, so it contains celery. In the EU and UK it must be emphasised as celery on the label.
