FDA Says Don’t Eat Cicadas If You Have Seafood Allergies

Many Marylanders have been indulging by eating protein-filled cicadas. However, some people should think twice before they enjoy one of the crunchy, edible insects that come up from the ground every 17 years.

“Yep! We have to say it!,” the FDA tweeted on Wednesday. “Don’t eat #cicadas if you’re allergic to seafood as these insects share a family relation to shrimp and lobsters.”

Yep! We have to say it!

Don't eat #cicadas if you're allergic to seafood as these insects share a family relation to shrimp and lobsters. https://t.co/UBg7CwrObN pic.twitter.com/3qn7czNg53

— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) June 2, 2021

In the meantime, if you’re not allergic to seafood, you can indulge in chocolate-covered cicadas made at Chouquette Chocolates in Gaithersburg:

Or, if you want to learn how to make your own cicada recipes, you can check out MyMCM’s interview with celebrity chef Elise Harris, also known as “The Diva Chef”:

So for those without seafood allergies, happy cicada feasting!

About Deirdre Byrne

Deirdre Byrne is a social media coordinator for Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at dbyrne@mymcmedia.org or on twitter at @DeirdreByrneMCM.

View all posts by Deirdre Byrne