If you are a TikToker, you may have seen the viral video of a couple out to dinner that has already garnered over 13 million views. In it, @mimiimimosaa offers her date, who has a known shellfish allergy, a taste of her entrée. Just as he tastes her meal, the waiter rushes over and says that the dish contains snails, which are shellfish:
In a subsequent video, the TikToker explains that her date took Benadryl as a precaution and, fortunately, did not react.
This video has numerous issues, making it an excellent “What not to do” learning opportunity for people with food allergies. Let’s examine it in detail.
First, the couple is dining at a venue where the allergen in question is served. This situation is already risky because even if he received assurances from the waitstaff that his food would not contain his allergen of concern, there is always a chance of cross-contact.
Next, the TikToker offers him a taste of her food, and he accepts, knowing nothing about the dish’s content or how it was prepared. This is playing Russian Roulette with food allergies, as her dish was likely not marked by the server as having allergy concerns.
The waiter then comes over to warn him that the dish he is sampling contains snails. The date first assumes snail is not a shellfish as it dwells on land, when in fact it is a member of the molluscan shellfish family.
The date then takes Benadryl, which his doctor may have instructed him to use after inadvertently ingesting a known allergen, but this is not recommended today. Diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, can mask the symptoms of anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.
Instead, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) advocates using epinephrine when you experience anaphylactic symptoms. You should discuss this with your doctor before making any changes.
Lastly, it’s important to understand shellfish allergy. Two major families of shellfish are often conflated: crustacean and molluscan. Crustaceans are aquatic animals that have jointed legs, a hard shell, and no backbone. Examples include crab, crayfish, lobster, prawns, and shrimp.
Most molluscs have a hinged two-part shell and include clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops. They can also include various types of octopus, snail, and squid.
It is important to note that only crustacean shellfish are considered a Top 9 allergen in the US, while other countries also recognize mollusks as top allergens. This means that mollusks do not require the special allergen labeling mandated by the FDA.
- Video — TikTok User @mimiimimosaa
- Crustaceans and molluscs — Food Allergy Canada
