Allergen Guide · Shellfish Allergy

Shellfish Allergy
Travel Card

A bilingual card that names shrimp paste, oyster sauce, and the crustacean-vs-mollusc split directly, not just the word "shellfish", in the destination's own language and script.

By Abe· 6 min read· Updated July 2026
Build my shellfish allergy card Two minutes, works offline, no account needed
Close-up plate of shrimp and prawns
Direct answer: A shellfish allergy travel card needs to cover more than the word "shellfish". Shrimp paste, oyster sauce, and XO sauce all carry shellfish protein without looking like shellfish on a menu, and shellfish splits into two biologically different groups, crustaceans (shrimp, crab, lobster) and molluscs (oysters, clams, mussels, scallops), that many people react to independently. AllergyPass builds both into the card: pick the general Shellfish restriction or narrow it to just one side, add your destination language, and the card names the specific hidden ingredients kitchen staff need to watch for, in native script.
Reviewed by Abe, dentist and founder — Last reviewed: July 2026 The facts, translations, and safety guidance in this article are checked against primary sources — official allergen-labeling regulations, credible medical and travel-safety references, and (where applicable) the same translation data used in the AllergyPass card builder — by Abe, AllergyPass's founder and a dentist. This review covers accuracy of language, regulatory, and safety information; it is not clinical allergy advice, and dentistry is not allergy medicine. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your own allergy management.

Why shellfish allergies need more than "no shellfish"

Shrimp paste (kapi in Thailand, bagoong in the Philippines, terasi in Indonesia) is a fermented flavor base stirred into curry pastes, sambals, and stir-fry sauces across Southeast Asian cooking, the way other cuisines use a stock cube, so a dish with no visible shrimp can still be built on it. Oyster sauce and XO sauce do the same job in Cantonese and broader Chinese cooking, turning up in vegetable stir-fries that read as vegetarian-adjacent. AllergyPass's shellfish restriction ships with its known hidden ingredients attached, including shrimp paste, oyster sauce, shrimp stock, pad Thai base, and nam prik pao (Thai chili paste), so the translated card names the actual risk rather than a single ingredient a cook might not connect to what's in the wok.

Crustacean and mollusc aren't the same allergy Crustaceans (shrimp, crab, lobster, crayfish) and molluscs (oysters, clams, mussels, scallops) are different animal groups, and a reaction to one doesn't guarantee a reaction to the other. The distinction is regulatory, not just clinical: EU Regulation 1169/2011 lists crustaceans and molluscs as two separate declarable allergens among the EU's 14, while US FALCPA's "shellfish" category legally covers crustacean shellfish only — molluscs aren't a US labeled allergen at all.

What goes on a shellfish allergy travel card

  • Severity level. Mild, moderate, or severe/anaphylaxis, so kitchen staff understand how seriously to treat the request.
  • The hidden-ingredient list. Shrimp paste, oyster sauce, shrimp stock, pad Thai base, and nam prik pao are named directly rather than assumed.
  • Crustacean vs. mollusc, if it applies to you. Select Shrimp/Prawns, Crab, or Lobster, or Mollusks, instead of one blanket "shellfish" restriction.
  • Native script. Spoken English often doesn't land in a busy kitchen. A written card in the destination's own script removes that gap entirely.
  • Any other restrictions you're managing. AllergyPass supports combining shellfish with any of the other 69 restrictions on one card, at no extra cost.

Shellfish and air travel

Shellfish is one of the major food allergens most regulatory frameworks single out by name, alongside peanuts and tree nuts in the US "Big 9" and the EU's 14. Several international carriers reflect this in their special-meal allergen exclusions, offering meals that specifically exclude shellfish and molluscs on request, usually with 24 hours' notice. No airline anywhere guarantees a shellfish-free flight or cabin, so treat any airline accommodation as risk reduction, not a guarantee, and confirm directly with the carrier before you fly.

How to build your shellfish allergy card

  1. Open the Card Builder and select Shellfish, or the specific Shrimp/Prawns, Crab, Lobster, or Mollusks restriction if only one side applies to you.
  2. Pick your destination language. 40 languages are live, covering destinations where shrimp paste and oyster sauce are most common in local cooking.
  3. Set your severity and download or print. The card preview updates as you go, so you can confirm the wording before you travel.

Build a shellfish allergy card that names the paste and the sauce, not just the word "shellfish"

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Southeast Asian cuisines carry the heaviest shrimp-paste risk of any region; see the hidden allergens in Thai food guide and the hidden allergens in Vietnamese food guide for dish-by-dish breakdowns. Managing shellfish alongside a peanut allergy is common in the region; the peanut allergy travel card guide covers the same hidden-ingredient approach for peanut oil.

Frequently asked questions

What should a shellfish allergy travel card say?

It needs to cover more than the word "shellfish". Shrimp paste, oyster sauce, and XO sauce all carry shellfish protein without looking like shellfish on a menu, so the card should name the ingredient risk directly, in the destination's language and script, along with your severity level.

Does the card distinguish between crustacean and mollusc shellfish?

Yes. AllergyPass lets you select the general Shellfish restriction, or narrow it to just Shrimp/Prawns, Crab, or Lobster (the crustacean side) or Mollusks (oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops) individually, since many people react to only one of the two groups.

Can I build a shellfish allergy card for free?

Yes, for Thai and English destinations. The Free Starter tier has unlimited allergens and no sign-up. Other destination languages need a Single Trip Pass ($4.99, one destination) or an All Access plan (all 40 live languages).

AllergyPass Card Builder Free

Build a bilingual shellfish allergy card in native script for your destination. Set severity, split crustacean from mollusc if only one applies, combine with other restrictions, and export as an image, print, or wallet pass. No sign-up required for the free tier.

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Medical disclaimer

This article is for informational and travel preparation purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before traveling with a food allergy, and carry any prescribed emergency medication at all times. See our full medical disclaimer.