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ASCIA Dietary Guide - Shellfish Allergy

This document has been developed by ASCIA, the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand. ASCIA information is based on published literature and expert review, is not influenced by commercial organisations and is not intended to replace medical advice. For patient or carer support contact Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia or Allergy New Zealand.

ASCIA Dietary Avoidance for Food Allergy FAQ should be used with the ASCIA dietary guide for shellfish allergy.

pdfASCIA PC Dietary Avoidance Food Allergy FAQ 2023273.67 KB

pdfASCIA PC Dietary Guide for Shellfish Allergy74.29 KB  

Avoiding shellfish is essential for people with confirmed shellfish allergy. It is important that people allergic to shellfish read and understand food labels to be able to choose the right foods.

The following are common types of shellfish and should be avoided:

Abalone

Cuttlefish

Prawns

Balmain bugs

Lobster

Scallops

Barnacles

Marron

Scampi

Calamari

Molluscs

Sea snails

Clams

Moreton Bay bugs

Shrimp

Cockles

Mussels

Snails

Crab

Octopus

Squid

Crayfish

Oysters

Yabbies

Check labels on the following foods to see if they contain shellfish and if they do, avoid them:

Asian soups and dishes

Fish sauce

Prawn crackers, prawn chips

Bouillabaisse

Fish stock

Seafood extender

Chitin

Marinara or Pescatore sauce

Seafood flavouring

Cuttlefish ink

Oyster sauce

Squid ink

Food purchased from fish and chip shops may be cooked in oil contaminated by shellfish.

People with iodine x-ray contrast allergy are not thought to be at higher risk of seafood allergy, and people with seafood allergy are not considered to be at higher risk of having allergic reactions to iodine x-ray contrast.

The food lists included in this document are not exhaustive.

People with food allergy should check foods labels each time products are purchased.

© ASCIA 2023

Content updated 2019

Format updated June 2023

For more information go to www.allergy.org.au/patients/food-allergy and

www.allergy.org.au/patients/food-other-adverse-reactions

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