• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Eating With Food Allergies
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start here
  • Recipes
  • Substitutes
  • Nutrition
  • Subscribe
  • Opt-out preferences
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start here
  • Recipes
  • Substitutes
  • Nutrition
  • Subscribe
  • Opt-out preferences
×
Home » Types of food allergies

Fish and Shellfish Allergies

Published: Jan 21, 2018 · Updated: Nov 18, 2020 by Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Fish and shellfish allergies are two of the top 8 most common food allergens. This is a guide for managing these allergies and eating well.

Fish and Shellfish Allergies

Fish and shellfish allergies are not one and the same since an allergy to fish does not necessarily mean an allergy to shellfish and vice versa. The steps to managing these food allergies, however, are pretty much the same so here they will be discussed together.

Fish and shellfish allergies are not as common in children as they are often developed in adulthood. It is not uncommon for a person who has eaten fish or shellfish for years to suddenly have an allergic reaction to these allergens.

Fortunately, of all of the food allergens, fish and shellfish may be the easiest allergens to avoid (at least in the United States) but they can also cause the most serious reactions so they must be taken very seriously.

People with a fish allergy may be advised by their allergists to avoid all types of fish. It is possible, however, to be allergic to just one species of fish and to be able to eat all other species. An allergy to any type of shellfish, however, usually means avoiding all shellfish.

Tips for managing a fish and shellfish allergy

When eating out, avoid seafood restaurants
This is important for two reasons:
1) the chance of cross-contact at a seafood restaurant is very high
2) you'll have a difficult time finding options other than seafood or fish

When eating out at any restaurant, be aware of the cross-contact risk
Even if it isn't a seafood restaurant, the risk for cross-contact could be quite high. For example, if the restaurant serves fried fish or shellfish, the fryer could be contaminated. This means that if you order french fries and they are made in the same fryer as the fish or shellfish, you could be at risk for getting some of the allergens in your food, causing a reaction.

For more tips on eating out with food allergies, click here.

Hidden sources of fish and shellfish

  • Anchovies (fish) are found in Worcestershire sauce, some pizzas, Caesar salad, and Caesar dressing.
  • Gelatin can be derived from fish or shellfish bones (though it isn't very common). Be sure to read all labels and if gelatin is listed it would be a good idea to call the manufacturer to be sure (better safe than sorry!
  • Asian cuisine often contains fish or shellfish and should be avoided as the risk of cross-contamination is very high.
  • Fish oil supplements (aka omega-3 supplements) may be cross-contaminated with fish protein.

More resources for managing fish and shellfish allergies

  • Allergy Free Recipes
    Allergy Free Recipes {Free of the Top 9 Allergens!}
  • Meal Planning With Food Allergies
    10 Tips for Meal Planning With Food Allergies
  • eating out with food allergies
    Eating Out With Food Allergies
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Latest posts by Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD (see all)
  • Gluten Free Swedish Meatballs Recipe (Top 9 Allergen-Free) - February 2, 2025
  • Cranberry Apple Sauce {Gluten Free, Top 9 Allergen Free} - November 9, 2024
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free) - February 17, 2024

More Types of Food Allergies

  • Common food allergens including dairy, egg, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and soy
    Common Food Allergies
  • How to Manage a Sesame Allergy
    Sesame Allergy
  • Managing a Corn Allergy
    Corn Allergy
  • tree nut allergy
    Tree Nut Allergy

About Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD

Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Kristi! I'm a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom with a mission to help you eat well with food allergies!

More about me →

Trending

  • Dairy free butter cream frosting on top of a cupcake
    Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting
  • A jar of nut free chocolate spread
    Nut Free Chocolate Spread
  • Eggless meatloaf on a plate with green beans and mashed potatoes
    Easy Eggless Meatloaf {Instant Pot or Oven}
  • oat milk chocolate pudding in a single serving jar
    Easy Oat Milk Chocolate Pudding {Dairy and Gluten Free}

Seasonal

  • An overhead view of gluten free sweet potato casserole
    Gluten Free Sweet Potato Casserole
  • A bowl of dairy free mashed potatoes.
    Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes {Stovetop OR Instant Pot}
  • Broccoli crunch salad on a plate
    Broccoli Crunch Salad {Vegan + Gluten Free}
  • A gluten free pumpkin bar with white frosting.
    Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars {Dairy and Egg Free}
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Latest posts by Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD (see all)
  • Gluten Free Swedish Meatballs Recipe (Top 9 Allergen-Free) - February 2, 2025
  • Cranberry Apple Sauce {Gluten Free, Top 9 Allergen Free} - November 9, 2024
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free) - February 17, 2024

Footer

^ Back to top

About

  • About Kristi
  • Privacy Policy
  • Ad Disclosure
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Get in Touch

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2007- 2025 Eating With Food Allergies

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Latest posts by Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD (see all)
  • Gluten Free Swedish Meatballs Recipe (Top 9 Allergen-Free) - February 2, 2025
  • Cranberry Apple Sauce {Gluten Free, Top 9 Allergen Free} - November 9, 2024
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free) - February 17, 2024
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}