Allergies & intolerances

Eating out with a shellfish allergy

FoodGong screens menus, recipes, and food photos for crustacean and mollusk shellfish and shellfish-derived ingredients, flagging each dish Safe, Ask, or Avoid with the reason.

Shellfish reactions can be severe, and shellfish shows up in stocks, sauces, and cross-contact you would not expect. FoodGong reads the whole menu or recipe and surfaces likely shellfish.

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Safe for youAsk your serverAvoid

Where shellfish hides

The non-obvious sources a busy server — or a short recipe — can miss. FoodGong flags them for you.

  • Fish sauce and oyster sauce in many Asian dishes
  • Seafood stocks, bisques, paella, and bouillabaisse
  • Surimi (imitation crab) in sushi and salads
  • Shared fryers and grills used for seafood
  • Some seafood-flavored or "surf and turf" items
  • Cross-contact at raw bars and buffets

How FoodGong screens for shellfish allergy

Set shellfish allergy in your profile (crustacean, mollusk, or both), then scan a menu, recipe, or dish. FoodGong checks each item and sorts it Safe, Ask, or Avoid, flagging shared-equipment risk as Ask.

Frequently asked questions

Can I screen crustaceans and mollusks separately?
Yes — you set which shellfish groups matter to you, since many people react to one and not the other.
Does fish count as shellfish?
No — finned fish is a separate allergen. If you also avoid fish, add it to your profile and FoodGong screens for both.
Recipes and photos?
Yes. Paste or photograph a recipe or snap a plate, and FoodGong screens it for shellfish ingredient by ingredient.

Related guides

Soy allergy →Egg allergy →Peanut allergy →All dining guides →

Screen your next menu for shellfish allergy.

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FoodGong helps you screen menus, recipes, and food photos and ask better questions. It is not a medical device and does not replace professional medical advice or confirmation from restaurant staff. For severe allergies, always verify with your server and carry any medication your doctor prescribes.