Guide
Crustacean shellfish labeling on US packs
The FALCPA major allergen is Crustacean shellfish — shrimp, crab, lobster — named by type. Clams, mussels, oysters and scallops are molluscs and are not that major allergen, even if customers say “shellfish” in one breath.
Reviewed against official guidance.SourcesNot legal advice.
The short answer
The FALCPA major allergen is Crustacean shellfish — shrimp, crab, lobster — named by type. Clams, mussels, oysters and scallops are molluscs and are not that major allergen, even if customers say “shellfish” in one breath.
Where this shows up in a real kitchen
US meal-prep shrimp bowls are straightforward. The misses are shrimp paste in fried rice seasoning, crab extract in seafood chowder, and lobster oil in a “surf” sauce. A clam chowder that staff label Contains: shellfish is using restaurant slang, not FALCPA.
The US rule
Declare Crustacean shellfish by type. FDA’s list is crustaceans, not all animals with shells. Molluscs can still be ingredients that appear in the ordinary ingredients list; they simply are not a FALCPA major. UK law treats molluscs as Annex II — another reason not to copy a UK Contains line.
How to apply it
Split your allergen chart: shrimp/crab/lobster vs clams/oysters. Packed shrimp fried rice declares shrimp and any soy/wheat in the sauce. Packed clam pasta declares clams as an ingredient without pretending FALCPA requires a crustacean Contains line.
- Name shrimp, crab and lobster separately when they are ingredients.
- Do not file molluscs under the crustacean Contains line.
- Read paste, powder and “seafood seasoning” specs.
- Keep UK molluscs-as-major training off the US chart.
Worked example
A 14 oz shrimp burrito bowl: rice, shrimp, pinto beans, cheddar (milk), wheat tortilla chips on the side. Contains: shrimp, milk, wheat. No crab. A second SKU of “seafood mix” that adds imitation crab (pollock + crab flavor) needs fish and, if real crustacean is present, that type too.
Checks that belong on this pack
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Shrimp paste is declared as shrimp | A teaspoon still counts. |
| Contains: shellfish is replaced with shrimp or crab | The Act wants the type. |
| Clam chowder is not auto-crustacean | Clams are molluscs. |
| Imitation crab specs are read for fish and any real crab | Surimi is a compound story. |
One staff poster that says “SHELLFISH” covering clams and shrimp
Useful for a chef shout, wrong for a FALCPA Contains line on a packed bowl.
What LabelClear can and cannot print
Name shrimp, crab or lobster in the ingredients you paste. Do not lump oysters into that US major allergen.
Questions
Is krill crustacean?
Are crawfish included?
Do I have to emphasise crustaceans in bold?
Official sources
Everything on this page traces back to these. Where they and we disagree, they are right — tell us and we'll fix it.
- Food allergiesU.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA)U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Food Labeling GuideU.S. Food and Drug Administration
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