Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormShelf-stable paste (typically jarred/bottled)
Industry PositionProcessed Condiment / Food Preparation
Market
Tahini (tahina) in Pakistan is a niche, mostly urban-consumed condiment/ingredient used for hummus, dips, dressings, and Middle Eastern-style cuisine. Pakistan is a sesame-growing country, which provides a domestic raw-material base for local tahini-style sesame paste production, alongside imported branded products sold through specialty retailers and e-commerce. Market access risk is driven more by compliance (labeling, misbranding enforcement, and halal-mark use) and food-safety controls than by agronomic constraints. The product is shelf-stable but quality is sensitive to oil oxidation/rancidity and contamination controls across the sesame supply chain.
Market RoleDomestic consumer market with potential local processing (sesame-producing country) and availability of imported branded tahini through specialty retail/e-commerce
Domestic RoleNiche condiment/ingredient primarily consumed in urban and foodservice contexts; also used as an input for dips and sauces
Specification
Primary VarietyTahina (tahini) defined as a product obtained by grinding mature, roasted, dehulled sesame seeds (Sesame indicum L.)
Physical Attributes- Homogeneous color and texture; free of lumps
- Characteristic natural taste; free from rancidity
Packaging- Retail jars (e.g., 600g glass/plastic jar formats seen in Pakistan e-commerce retail)
- Retail bottles (e.g., 500g bottle formats seen in Pakistan e-commerce retail)
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-compliant or misleading labeling/misbranding can trigger seizure, penalties, and sales disruption under provincial food authority enforcement regimes (e.g., Punjab Food Authority), creating an immediate market-access blocker for packaged tahini.Run pre-market label compliance checks for the destination province(s); maintain complete importer documentation and batch/lot traceability to support inspections.
Food Safety HighAflatoxin contamination has been documented in sesame seeds sampled from major producing areas in Punjab, Pakistan, indicating a real upstream hazard for sesame-based products if storage and supplier controls are weak.Implement supplier approval with mycotoxin testing, moisture/storage controls, and rejection thresholds for sesame inputs; validate processing and storage practices to reduce fungal growth risk.
Food Safety MediumTahini and other sesame-based products have a documented history of Salmonella-related recalls and outbreaks in international markets, indicating a credible microbiological hazard pathway for finished tahini if hygiene controls fail.Require validated microbiological controls (environmental monitoring, hygienic design, supplier verification) and maintain finished-product testing and lot-based traceability.
Logistics MediumImport clearance depends on accurate electronic filing and document submission workflows (including uploads and potential routing to relevant government agencies); documentation gaps can extend dwell time and disrupt supply to retail.Use an experienced customs agent; pre-validate HS classification and document checklist in PSW workflows; align label/spec sheets with shipment documents to reduce holds.
Religious / Dietary Compliance MediumIf the product is marketed with halal claims or uses halal marks, non-compliance with Pakistan Halal Authority mark/certification frameworks can create reputational and regulatory exposure.Ensure halal certification/mark use is supported by recognized/acceptable certification pathways and consistent with PHA rules and importer requirements.
Sustainability- Mycotoxin control (aflatoxin risk management) in sesame supply chains used for sesame-based foods
- Food-safety-driven quality management across storage and processing to prevent contamination
FAQ
What is tahini (tahina) according to Codex?Codex defines tahina as a product obtained by grinding mature sesame seeds (Sesame indicum L.) that are roasted and dehulled.
What is a key food safety risk for tahini in Pakistan’s context?Because tahini is made from sesame seeds, upstream hazards such as aflatoxin contamination in sesame (documented in samples from Punjab, Pakistan) and microbiological hazards like Salmonella (documented in international tahini/sesame-product incidents) are key risks that buyers typically manage through testing and supplier controls.
Is halal relevant for tahini sold in Pakistan?Yes. Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA) is mandated to oversee halal status frameworks for products and processes, including for products being imported/exported and marketed as halal, so halal claims/marks should be handled carefully and in line with PHA rules.