Updated September 2024
Fish allergy (finned fish) affects about 1% of the population. Fish allergy tends to be life-long and is more common in adults than children. Over time, about 20% of people will outgrow their seafood allergy.
Those who are allergic to finned fish can usually tolerate crustaceans and/or molluscs but care must be taken because of the risk of cross contamination in storage, preparation and cooking of the seafood.
When fish is being cooked, fish proteins can be released into the air with the cooking fumes (smoke/steam). Some people with fish allergy may show signs of anaphylaxis if they are in the same room where fish is being cooked. Speak to your allergy doctor about cooking fish at home.
While a person with a fish allergy may not be able to tolerate a fish that has been freshly cooked, some people can tolerate tinned fish as this has been exposed to high heat during processing. Speak to your allergy specialist about whether you can have tinned fish.
In Australia, under the Food Standards Code, fish does not have to be declared in mandatory food allergen labelling for isinglass derived from swim bladders and used as a clarifying agent in beer and wine. This is because it is considered unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.
Please note: If you are allergic to fish, you are at high risk of being allergic to crocodile meat.
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What foods and products contain fish?
Avoidance of fish is important if you have a fish allergy. Fish can be found in many foods and as an ingredient in many products. Download our food allergen card to your phone or print and place on your refrigerator at home. This allergen card contains examples of the foods and products that may have fish.
REMEMBER: You cannot tell what ingredients foods contain by looking at them, smelling them or tasting them. ALWAYS read labels when eating packaged food and when eating out. ALWAYS tell people preparing and serving food you have a food allergy. ASK about food content after you have told them about your food allergy.
To make eating out a little easier, A&AA has developed a chef card. You can write or print your allergens on the card. When telling the wait staff at a cafe or restaurant about your allergies, hand over your chef card and ask for it to come back with your specially prepared meal.
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