Final answer:
Guests with shellfish allergies should avoid any dishes with shellfish and be aware of potential cross-contamination in foods and non-food items. Reading labels and being mindful of food preparation practices is essential to avoid allergic reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Guests with a shellfish allergy should avoid foods that contain shellfish, which can be found in a variety of dishes beyond the obvious grilled or fried shellfish platters. These guests must be careful of sauces, broths, and seasonings that may contain shellfish derivatives, as these can provoke allergic reactions.
Foods to be cautious of include soups like bouillabaisse or seafood gumbo, Asian cuisine that may use fish sauce, and dishes that might have hidden shellfish such as paellas or jambalaya. Additionally, they should avoid cross-contamination, where shellfish proteins might have come into contact with other foods during processing or cooking.
It's important to note that some non-food items may also contain shellfish components, such as nutritional supplements or pet foods. Therefore, checking labels for allergy information is crucial.
Contaminated food can be a risk too, where shellfish has been processed on the same equipment as other items. This is also why individuals with shellfish allergies might need to avoid places that process shellfish because of potential airborne particles. Reading product warnings about processing practices can be a key preventive measure.