Information › Allergies › Crustaceans
Crustacean allergy
Crustaceans (shrimp, crab, lobster, langoustine, crayfish) are among the most common allergens in adults, and reactions are often severe. Molluscs (mussels, oysters, squid) are a separate allergen.
At a glance
- Kind
- Legal allergen (EU)
- On the label
- In bold in the ingredient list
- Also as
- garnaal, krab, kreeft, rivierkreeft, langoustine…
- Without crustaceans
- 29.203 products
- Supermarkets
- AH, Jumbo, PLUS, Dirk and Hoogvliet
Recognise
On the label as
- garnaal
- krab
- kreeft
- rivierkreeft
- langoustine
- gamba
- surimi
- Crustaceans are in bold with the species; ‘garnaal’, ‘zeegarnaal’ and ‘kreeft’ are all crustaceans.
- Asian sauces, prawn crackers (kroepoek), surimi and some stocks contain crustacean extract.
- Glucosamine supplements are often made from crustacean shells.
Shopping
Examples without crustaceans
- Mosselen2000 gHoogvliet € 9,99Bevat: Weekdieren
- Sushi Ran OsakaSushi Ran · 178 gPLUS € 4,19Bevat: Ei, Glutenbevattende granen, Mosterd, Soja, Tarwe, Tonijn en producten op basis van tonijn, Vis, Zalm en producten op basis van zalmKan sporen bevatten: Sesamzaad
- Sushi Ran KeiranSushi Ran · 228 gPLUS € 5,99Bevat: Ei, Glutenbevattende granen, Mosterd, Sesamzaad, Soja, TarweKan sporen bevatten: Vis
- Conimex Javaanse boontjes boemboeConimex · 95 gAlbert Heijn € 1,89Jumbo € 1,89PLUS € 1,89Bevat: Glutenbevattende Granen, Soja, Tarwe
- Kokki Djawa Boemboe kerrieKokki Djawa · 100 gAlbert Heijn € 1,09PLUS € 1,09Bevat: Koriander
- Conimex Boemboe Rendang Vlees 95 gConimex · 95 gJumbo € 2,09PLUS € 2,09Bevat: Koemelk, Lactose, Melk, Soja
All 29.203 products without crustaceans
What to look out for in the shop
- Exclude crustaceans and molluscs if you react to both: they are two separate ticks.
- Fresh fish from the counter can be contaminated through the ice and the knives.
Good to know
Recently with crustaceans in the recipe (7)These products recently took crustaceans onto their label: the recipe changed. This is exactly where reading the label matters most.
Cross-contamination and “may contain traces”Prawn crackers, Asian sauces, stock and surimi often contain crustacean extract you cannot taste.
Prawn crackers, Asian sauces, stock and surimi often contain crustacean extract you cannot taste. In restaurants the risk is high: shared woks, fryers and chopping boards.
Symptoms and when to see a doctorCrustacean allergy often causes severe symptoms within minutes: swelling, hives, vomiting, breathing difficulty.
Short of breath, a swelling tongue or throat, or dizzy after eating? Use the adrenaline auto-injector if one has been prescribed and call 112 straight away. Even if it then seems to get better.
Crustacean allergy often causes severe symptoms within minutes: swelling, hives, vomiting, breathing difficulty. It is one of the most common causes of a severe allergic reaction in adults and almost never goes away.
Are shrimp crustaceans?
Yes. Shrimp, crab, lobster, langoustines and crayfish are all crustaceans and are in bold.
Can I eat mussels with a crustacean allergy?
Mussels are molluscs, a separate allergen. Many people react to both; get tested before you try.
Is there crustacean in glucosamine?
Often: glucosamine is made from shells. Plant-based versions exist.
What this site does and does not do
We read the ingredient list and the allergen declaration as the supermarket publishes them, and hide every product that contains the allergen. Products without allergen information are hidden by default too: unknown is not the same as safe. What we cannot do is read the pack in the shop. Recipes change, and the information here can lag behind. When in doubt the label in your hand decides, and for questions about your health your doctor or dietitian.
Other allergens
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex II: the fourteen allergens that must be on the label.
- The ingredient lists and allergen declarations of Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS, Dirk and Hoogvliet, re-read every week.
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