Is Seafood Safe During Pregnancy

Reason

Cooked low-mercury seafood is encouraged, but raw seafood and some fish are unsafe in pregnancy.

Safe Amount

8 to 12 ounces per week of lower-mercury seafood; no established safe limit for raw or high-mercury seafood — consult your provider

Effects

Pregnancy

Supports nutrition when cooked and low-mercury; unsafe if raw or high-mercury

Mother

Raw seafood raises risk of foodborne illness

Baby

Higher mercury or foodborne illness can harm fetal growth and development

Trimester Notes

1st Trimester

Same guidance applies. Avoid raw or undercooked seafood. Choose low-mercury cooked seafood.

2nd Trimester

Same guidance applies. Avoid raw or undercooked seafood. Choose low-mercury cooked seafood.

3rd Trimester

Same guidance applies. Avoid raw or undercooked seafood. Choose low-mercury cooked seafood.

Conditions & Warnings

• Cook seafood to 145°F or until flesh is opaque and separates easily; shellfish until shells open and flesh is pearly/opaque
• Avoid raw or undercooked fish and shellfish, including sushi, sashimi, ceviche, oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops
• Avoid high-mercury fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish
• Choose lower-mercury options such as shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish

Alternatives

• Cooked salmon
• Cooked shrimp
• Canned light tuna
• Pollock
• Catfish

References

• FDA
  https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/meat-poultry-seafood-food-safety-moms-be
• FDA
  https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish
• CDC
  https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/pregnant-women.html
• NHS
  https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/