Is Smoked Salmon Safe During Pregnancy

Reason

Fully cooked salmon is a low-mercury fish and fits pregnancy seafood guidance. Avoid raw or undercooked salmon.

Safe Amount

8 to 12 ounces (2 to 3 servings) per week of lower-mercury fish; salmon can be one of these servings

Effects

Pregnancy

Supports a healthy pregnancy diet when eaten within seafood guidance.

Mother

Can help meet nutrition needs; raw or undercooked fish can cause foodborne illness.

Baby

Provides nutrients that support brain development; raw or undercooked fish can expose the baby to foodborne illness risks.

Trimester Notes

1st Trimester

Safe in normal amounts when fully cooked. Keep to the weekly fish guideline.

2nd Trimester

Safe in normal amounts when fully cooked. Keep to the weekly fish guideline.

3rd Trimester

Safe in normal amounts when fully cooked. Keep to the weekly fish guideline.

Conditions & Warnings

• Eat salmon fully cooked to a safe internal temperature.
• Do not eat raw or undercooked salmon, including sushi or sashimi.
• Choose salmon from lower-mercury fish options.
• If salmon is smoked or cured, choose only products that are fully cooked or shelf-stable and safe to eat; when unsure, avoid raw-style products.

Alternatives

• Other lower-mercury fish such as cod, haddock, pollock, sardines, and canned light tuna
• Well-cooked fish dishes instead of raw salmon sushi

References

• FDA Advice about Eating Fish
  https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish
• FDA Questions & Answers from the FDA/EPA Advice on Eating Fish
  https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/questions-answers-fdaepa-advice-about-eating-fish-those-who-might-become-or-are-pregnant-or
• FDA Meat, Poultry & Seafood (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be)
  https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/meat-poultry-seafood-food-safety-moms-be