Feeding Babies In Every Way. Infant and toddler feeding support for all!
Shellfish
Just as we saw with Peanuts and Tree Nuts, Fish and Shellfish differ slightly in their causes for allergic reaction. Because fish and shellfish are different animals. Due to this, they are classified as different allergens.
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Shellfish include 2 categories:
Crustaceans and Mollusks.
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Crustaceans include shrimp, crab, lobster, etc. and are considered to be much more common than allergy to mollusks. Shrimp allergy is most common amongst all shellfish.
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Mollusks include clams, oysters, scallops, octopus, squid, snail, etc. (AKA the "weird" things I mention on Fish page). At this time, the FDA does not consider these to be as high of an allergen risk, and therefore does not require that Mollusks be claimed on food labels.
Fast Facts
Foods Included:
Lobster
Shrimp
Crab
Prawns
Crawfish (Crayfish, Crawdad)
Barnacle
Krill
Seafood Flavoring
Fish Sauce (*sometimes made from Krill*)
Surimi
Fish Stock, Bouillabaisse
Entrees or foods made with any of the above. (Examples: Lobster Mac&Cheese, Crab Cakes, Shrimp Scampi, Crawfish Broil)
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*Talk with your Pediatrician, Allergist, or Registered Dietitian to determine if you should also avoid Mollusks. If you have been advised to also avoid Mollusks, these include: Clams, Mussels, Oysters, Octopus, Scallops, Squid, Snails, Abalone, Cuttlefish, Sea Cucumber, Sea Urchin, etc.
Other Names Commonly Seen In Ingredient Lists, associated with Shellfish:
Shrimp
Prawns
Krill
Scampi
Lobster, Langouste, Langoustine
Crawfish, Crawdad, Crayfish
Crab
Barnacle
Crevette
Escrevisse
Morton Bay Bugs
Surimi
Imitation Crab
Seafood Flavoring
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*If your medical provider has recommended that you also avoid Mollusks, you should look out for: Clams, Mussels, Oysters, Octopus, Scallops, Squid, Snails, Abalone, Cuttlefish, Sea Cucumber, Sea Urchin, Escargot, Calamari, Limpet, Lapas, etc.
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Quick & Easy Ways To Expose:
Shrimp and Grits
Serve one of the entrees mentioned under "Foods Included"
Lobster Macaroni & Cheese and Crab Cakes are big hits in my house​
Shellfish + Avocado (or Guacamole, Tartar Sauce, Cocktail Sauce, Salsa, etc.)
Random Facts & Tips!
Shellfish allergy tend to be lifelong allergies, meaning that if you are diagnosed with a shellfish allergy as a child, it is unlikely you will "outgrow" it. >50% of those with a shellfish allergy had their first reaction as adults.
The FDA does not require Mollusks to be labeled specifically on food labels. If a food product contains a Crustacean ingredient, this must be claimed and also must specify the type (example: Contains Shellfish: Crab)