Egg Allergy: Foods to Avoid & Safe Alternatives
If you have an egg allergy, it’s crucial to avoid all foods containing egg proteins, even in hidden forms.
Foods That Contain Egg🍳(Avoid These!)
✔ Obvious Sources of Egg:
- Any ingredient containing the word “egg”
- Eggnog
- Mayonnaise
- Meringue, meringue powder
- Cholesterol-free egg substitutes (e.g., Eggbeaters®)
✔ Less Obvious Sources of Egg:
- Albumin
- Apovitellin
- Fat substitutes
- Globulin
- Livetin
- Lysozyme
- Ovalbumin
- Ovoglobulin
- Ovomucin
- Ovomucoid
- Ovotransferrin
- Ovovitelia
- Ovovitellin
- Silici albuminate
- Simplesse
- Trailblazer
- Vitellin
Foods That May Contain Egg (Check Labels!)
Some ingredients may not explicitly say “egg” but could still contain egg-derived proteins.
⚠ Be cautious with:
- Artificial and natural flavoring
- Lecithin (unless specified as soy lecithin)
- Nougat
Can Cooking Reduce Egg Allergy? 🔥
💡 Baked egg and heat-treated egg products may be tolerated by some people with an egg allergy. Studies show that extensive heating (e.g., baking at high temperatures) can break down egg proteins, making them less allergenic.
⚠ However, this does not apply to everyone. Some people with egg allergy can tolerate baked egg, while others may still react.
👉 See an Allergist/Immunologist for testing before trying baked egg. A controlled food challenge in a medical setting is the safest way to determine tolerance.
Safe Egg-Free Alternatives
✅ Egg-Free Cooking Substitutes:
- Mashed banana or applesauce (for baking)
- Flaxseed meal or chia seeds mixed with water (flax egg/chia egg)
- Commercial egg replacers (e.g., Ener-G Egg Replacer, Bob’s Red Mill Egg Substitute)
- Carbonated water or vinegar + baking soda (for leavening)
✅ Egg-Free Condiments & Spreads:
- Vegan mayonnaise (e.g., Just Mayo, Hellmann’s Vegan Mayo)
- Dairy-free spreads instead of butter-based spreads containing egg
FAQs About Egg Allergy
1. Can I eat baked goods if I have an egg allergy?
⚠ Only if approved by an Allergist/Immunologist. Some people with egg allergy can tolerate baked egg, but others may still react. Get tested before trying.
2. Are egg substitutes safe?
🚫 No! Most “cholesterol-free” or “low-fat” egg substitutes (like Eggbeaters®) still contain egg proteins. Always check labels.
3. Do vaccines contain egg?
🩺 Some vaccines (like flu shots and yellow fever vaccines) may contain egg proteins. Even if you have a severe egg allergy, an Allergist/Immunologist can evaluate you and if you qualify, administer the vaccine via graded dose protocol.
4. Are lecithin and emulsifiers safe?
🤔 It depends. Soy lecithin is usually safe, but egg lecithin (often in supplements or processed foods) should be avoided.
5. Can I eat pasta?
⚠ Many traditional pastas contain egg. Choose egg-free pasta (look for vegan or 100% durum wheat pasta).
The Allergy Immunology Clinic is here to help you with your food allergy.
