Hidden egg on food labels, other names for egg

Updated 29 October 2026 · By IngrediLens

Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies in young children. Many children outgrow it, but some do not, and adults can have it too. Egg is easy to spot when it says "egg". It is harder when it hides in a glaze, a foam or a technical protein name.

How egg is labelled

• EU and UK: egg is one of the 14 allergens and must be emphasised in the ingredients list, for example "pasteurised egg white", "lysozyme (egg)".
• US: egg is one of the 9 major allergens. It must be named in the ingredient list or in the "Contains" statement. Since the FDA's January 2025 guidance, eggs from ducks, geese, quail and other fowl count too, and the bird should be named ("duck egg").

Names that mean egg

• egg, whole egg, egg white, egg yolk, dried egg, egg powder, liquid egg, pasteurised egg
• albumen / albumin (in some regions also written albumina); note that "albumin" can also come from milk or blood, so check the source
• ovalbumin, ovomucoid, ovomucin, ovovitellin, ovotransferrin, livetin, vitellin
• globulin (when from egg)
• lysozyme (E1105), used in some cheeses and wines
• egg lecithin (most lecithin, E322, is soy or sunflower)
• words starting with ovo- in general

Foods where egg often hides

• Mayonnaise, aioli, tartare sauce, hollandaise, béarnaise, Caesar dressing
• Fresh pasta and egg noodles (dried pasta is usually egg-free, but check)
• Glazes: the shine on bread, pastries, pretzels and pies is often egg wash
• Meringue, marshmallow, nougat, macarons, mousse, soufflé, some ice creams and custards
• Batter and breadcrumb coatings, fritters, tempura, pancakes, waffles
• Meatballs, burgers, meatloaf and fish cakes (egg is often the binder)
• Surimi (crab sticks), which often contains egg white
• Foamy drinks: some cocktails (whisky sour, pisco sour) and coffee toppings use egg white
• Wine and cheese: egg proteins can be used to clarify wine, and lysozyme is used in some hard cheeses. In the EU, if egg remains in a wine, the label must say so.

Names that sound like egg but are not

• eggplant (aubergine)
• egg-free and vegan egg substitutes (still check the label for "may contain egg")
• cream of tartar, lecithin from soy or sunflower

Cross-contact and "may contain egg"

Bakeries, pasta makers and sauce factories often handle egg on shared lines. Whether to avoid products with a "may contain egg" warning is something to agree with your allergist. See what "may contain" means.

Eating out with an egg allergy

Egg is often used in ways a menu does not mention: brushed on pastry, mixed into burgers, whisked into sauces, or used for a crisp batter. Fryers and griddles may be shared with battered food, and the same whisk may go from an omelette to a pancake mix. Tell staff clearly, ask how each part of the dish is made, and avoid desserts and sauces when the answers are uncertain. Abroad, a restaurant allergy card saves long explanations.

Beyond food

Egg proteins can turn up outside the kitchen. Some shampoos and hair masks contain egg extracts (on INCI lists, look for "egg", "ovum" or "albumen"). Craft activities at school sometimes use egg cartons or egg-based paints. Our guide to allergies at school covers what to tell carers. Some vaccines are made using eggs. Your doctor can advise, so do not avoid vaccination on your own.

How IngrediLens helps

With an egg filter, IngrediLens highlights egg and its other names, such as albumen, ovalbumin, lysozyme and egg lecithin, on food and cosmetic labels. It also flags "may contain egg" lines. Child mode in Premium shows a simple yes / no / check view for children's profiles. The app does not decide whether a product is suitable for you, and it can miss words, so always read the label as well.