Shellfish Allergy Diet
General guidelines for shellfish allergy
When your child has a food allergy, they must strictly stay away from the food that
they are allergic to. They can't eat that food. And they can't eat any products containing
that food. The items that your child is allergic to are called allergens.
A shellfish allergy is the immune system's abnormal response to the proteins found
in shellfish. Shellfish allergies are among the most common allergies in children.
People allergic to 1 type of shellfish are often allergic to other types. This is
often a lifelong condition. So it's important to know how to manage it. To stay away
from foods that contain shellfish proteins, it's important to read food labels.
For foods regulated by the FDA, the federal Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection
Act (FALCPA) requires packaged foods to state clearly on the label if a product has
shellfish. Some companies may also include statements, such as "may contain shellfish"
or "may be made in a facility that processes shellfish." But these kinds of advisory
statements are voluntary. Companies are not required to put this on the food label.
Some foods and products are not covered by FALCPA. These include:
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Foods that are not regulated by the FDA
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Cosmetics and personal care items
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Prescription and over-the-counter medicines and supplements
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Toys and crafts
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Pet foods
The list below shows foods and products that could contain shellfish. It is not a
complete list. But it can help guide your decisions. Be sure to carefully read all
food labels.
How to read a label for a shellfish-free diet
Stay away from foods with any of these ingredients:
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Abalone
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Barnacle
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Clams (cherrystone, littleneck, geoduck, pismo, quahog)
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Cockle, periwinkle, sea urchin
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Crab
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Crawfish, crawdad, crayfish, écrevisse, krill
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Cuttlefish
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Limpet (lapas, opihi)
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Lobster, langouste, langoustine, Moreton Bay bugs, scampi, coral, tomalley
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Mollusks
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Mussels
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Octopus, squid (calamari)
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Oyster
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Periwinkle
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Prawns
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Scallops
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Sea cucumber (often used in Asian soups)
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Sea urchin
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Shrimp, prawns, crevette, scampi
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Snail (escargot)
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Squid (calamari)
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Whelk (turban shell)
The following foods may mean that shellfish protein is present:
When you are not at home
For your child's general safety:
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Always carry 2 epinephrine autoinjectors. Make sure you and those close to your child
know how to use them.
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If you don't have epinephrine autoinjectors, talk with your child's healthcare provider.
Find out if you should carry them.
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Have your child wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. This will have their allergy
information on it.
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Be sure your child's teacher, school nurse, and other caregivers are educated about
your child's allergy. This includes knowing what to do in an emergency.
When you are eating out:
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Tell your server about your child's allergy.
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Any food that is made in a seafood restaurant could be cross-contaminated with fish
or shellfish. This includes nonseafood items.
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Some people who are allergic to fish may react to cooking odors. Or they may react
to touching shellfish or fish.
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Be careful when eating in Asian restaurants. Fish sauce is often used as a flavor
enhancer.
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Shellfish protein can be spread in the air, in the steam released during cooking.
Don't eat at steam tables or buffets where seafood or shellfish is displayed and served.
This can also help prevent cross-contamination of foods with shared utensils.
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In a restaurant, food may be cross-contaminated with shellfish. Always read food labels
and ask about ingredients at restaurants. Do this even if these are foods your child
has eaten in the past.
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Be careful about fried foods in restaurants that serve shellfish. Shrimp or other
shellfish may be fried in the same oil as french fries or chicken fingers.
Online Medical Reviewers:
- Dan Brennan MD
- Deborah Pedersen MD
- Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH