Is Crab safe during pregnancy?
Best Choice (lower mercury) — enjoy crab (cooked) cooked, 2–3 servings a week in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
What the sources say
FDA/EPA list crab (cooked) as a "Best Choice" (lower mercury) for people who are or may become pregnant or are breastfeeding: 2–3 servings a week from this list (8–12 oz total; 1 serving = 4 oz before cooking). Cook until the flesh is firm, pearly and opaque (or until shells open for clams, oysters and mussels; discard any that don't open). Raw or partially cooked shellfish is not recommended in pregnancy. CDC gives breastfeeding parents the same fish advice.
Also listed as
crab meat, crabmeat, blue crab, dungeness crab, snow crab, king crab, crab legs, crab cakes, soft-shell crab, canned crab
Sources
- FDA: Advice about Eating Fish
- CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women
- CDC: Maternal Diet and Breastfeeding
- FDA: People at Risk of Foodborne Illness
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.