Allergen Guide · Shellfish Allergy

Shellfish Allergy
Travel Card

A bilingual card that names your selected shellfish groups in English and the destination language, with severity-specific wording and an optional cross-contamination warning.

By Abe, dentist and founder· 6 min read· Updated August 2026
Build my shellfish allergy card Choose your allergens, review the wording
Close-up plate of shrimp and prawns
Direct answer: A shellfish allergy travel card should name the shellfish groups you avoid in both languages, show the severity, and optionally warn about cross-contamination. Shrimp paste, oyster sauce, XO sauce, and seafood stock are separate recipe questions: the builder shows these examples below the preview, but the delivered card does not print them automatically.

Why shellfish allergies need more than "no shellfish"

Shrimp paste (kapi in Thailand, bagoong in the Philippines, and terasi in Indonesia) may be mixed into curry pastes, sambals, and sauces. Oyster sauce and XO sauce can also appear in dishes whose names do not mention shellfish. The builder's educational panel lists examples such as shrimp paste, oyster sauce, shrimp stock, pad Thai base, and nam prik pao to help you prepare those questions; they are not part of the exported card.

Crustacean and mollusc are different groups Crustaceans include shrimp, crab, and lobster; molluscs include oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops. Some people need to avoid one group, some both. Use the specific restriction recommended for you, and ask how a restaurant groups its sauces, stocks, and shared equipment.

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.
  • Your selected shellfish groups. Choose Shellfish or narrower restrictions such as Shrimp/Prawns, Crab, Lobster, or Mollusks. Hidden-source examples remain in the builder's educational panel rather than on the delivered card.
  • Crustacean vs. mollusc, if it applies to you. Select Shrimp/Prawns, Crab, or Lobster, or Mollusks, instead of one blanket "shellfish" restriction.
  • Destination script. A written card gives the person taking your order something concrete to read and pass to the kitchen. It does not replace confirmation.
  • Any other restrictions you're managing. Choose additional restrictions in the builder if you need them on the same card; review the combined wording carefully.

Shellfish and air travel

Airline meal options and notice periods vary by carrier and route. If you request a special meal, confirm it with the operating airline for every flight segment and carry backup food and accessible medication. An airline accommodation is not a guarantee that the cabin or meal service is shellfish-free; the flying with food allergies guide covers the wider planning steps.

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. The builder shows the currently supported languages and the plan needed for the selected destination.
  3. Review delivery. The free English flow sends a card image by email; translated cards and print-ready PDFs are paid outputs with delivery details shown in the builder.

Build a shellfish allergy card for the groups you avoid

Build My Card

If you are traveling in Southeast Asia, the hidden allergens in Thai food guide and hidden allergens in Vietnamese food guide cover local dish questions. The peanut, egg, and sesame guides cover the same hidden-ingredient approach for other restrictions.

Frequently asked questions

What should a shellfish allergy travel card say?

It should name each selected shellfish group clearly in English and the destination language, state the severity, and optionally warn about cross-contamination. Shrimp paste, oyster sauce, XO sauce, and seafood stock are separate recipe questions to ask the kitchen; they are not printed automatically on the delivered card.

Does the card distinguish between crustacean and mollusc shellfish?

The builder lets you select the general Shellfish restriction, or narrower choices such as Shrimp/Prawns, Crab, Lobster, or Mollusks. Choose the option that matches your medical advice; if you avoid multiple groups, select each one and review the combined card.

Can I build a shellfish allergy card for free?

The English card is free, but the current free flow asks for an email so the card image can be delivered. It does not require an account or credit card. A $7.99 one-time Single Trip pass unlocks one translated destination language; the builder shows the included formats before checkout.