Teen's Severe Allergic Reaction to Energy Drink Traced to Fish Collagen, Not Typical Allergens

A 15-year-old boy tried a new energy drink and soon had widespread hives, wheezing and trouble breathing. He was taken to a hospital, where he received two doses of epinephrine, albuterol (the medication found in many rescue inhalers, used to open the airways), an antihistamine and IV fluids. His symptoms resolved with treatment.

The cause turned out to be an ingredient most people would not think to question. A review of the drink's label showed it contained 5 grams of collagen derived from cod. The case was presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, held Nov. 12-16 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The boy's history offered some clues, though not a clean answer. He had reported mild throat itching and lip swelling when eating canned tuna, but he had eaten salmon without trouble. He also has eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis, commonly called hay fever. Yet skin prick tests for tuna, cod and flounder allergy all came back negative.

Allergist Annabelle Rowland, M.D., a Georgia-based ACAAI member and author of the study, said in a news release that the case shows how tricky fish allergy can be. Collagen from fish, she said, is turning up in a growing number of products, from drinks to supplements. Standard fish allergy tests mostly look for a different fish protein and contain very little collagen, so a person can test negative and still react.

The findings are early. They were presented at the conference and have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Fox News Digital also heard from two organizations. A spokesperson for the Council for Responsible Nutrition in Washington, D.C., said collagen ingredients can come from several animal sources, including fish, cattle and pigs. The spokesperson said fish-derived collagen can pose an allergy risk for people sensitive to fish, and that processing or hydrolysis does not necessarily remove that risk. People with fish allergies should read labels closely, the spokesperson said, since labels are required to identify major allergens such as fish, and should talk with a healthcare provider before trying these products. The spokesperson also cautioned that a single suspected reaction does not establish how often such reactions occur, and noted that manufacturers are legally required to give accurate ingredient and allergen information.

Sung Poblete, Ph.D., CEO of Food Allergy Research & Education, based in Virginia, said fish collagen is increasingly used in supplements, beverages and wellness items. Many people with fish allergy avoid all finned fish, she said, but reactions can vary between individuals and between different fish-derived proteins, so someone can be allergic to one type of finned fish and not another. She noted that labels must identify the fish species, and that the FDA also requires crustacean shellfish such as shrimp, crab and lobster to be specifically named.

For someone managing a fish or shellfish allergy, Poblete said, the words "marine collagen" on a label call for a closer look at the ingredient list and the "contains" statement. If the source remains unclear, FARE encourages people to call the manufacturer. Consumers can ask what the collagen is made from and how the product is sourced, packaged and tested for allergens. She urged people to read every label, including on drinks and supplements, and to see an allergist after any reaction, even if a test was negative.

Fox News Digital said it contacted energy drink manufacturers for comment. What to watch next is whether the case is published in a peer-reviewed journal, where its details can be examined more fully.