Basics
Do vegans eat mussels and oysters?
Short answer
No. Mussels, oysters and other molluscs are animals, and veganism excludes animal products. Some people eat them, arguing that bivalves probably do not feel pain, but that is a separate choice, not veganism.
The Vegan Trademark Standards define animals as the entire animal kingdom, including multicellular invertebrates, so bivalves are included. The debate about whether mussels can feel anything is an ethical one, but it does not change the definition: a product from an animal is not vegan.
Watch for hidden seafood ingredients: oyster sauce in Asian cooking, mussel extract in some supplements (e.g. green-lipped mussel) and glucosamine from shellfish. In restaurants, ask about sauces and stocks.