Is Carp safe during pregnancy?
Good Choice fish — OK cooked, but limit carp to 1 serving (4 oz) a week and no other fish that week.
PregnancyUse with care
BreastfeedingUse with care
EvidenceStrong
What the sources say
FDA/EPA place carp in the "Good Choices" group for people who are or may become pregnant or are breastfeeding: eat 1 serving a week (4 oz before cooking) and no other fish that week, or pick from the lower-mercury "Best Choices" list for 2–3 servings a week. Cook to 145°F or until opaque and flaky; raw or undercooked fish is not recommended in pregnancy. FDA notes larger locally caught carp are more likely to have advisories. CDC gives breastfeeding parents the same limits.
Common alternatives
Also listed as
common carp, asian carp
Sources
- FDA: Advice about Eating Fish
- CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women
- CDC: Maternal Diet and Breastfeeding
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.