Pregnancy food guidance
Crab
Usually OK—When cooked
Cooked crab is a lower-mercury seafood choice during pregnancy.
What changes the answer for Crab
- Cook shellfish thoroughly.
- Keep cooked crab cold until served.
- Imitation crab is cooked but still needs proper refrigeration.
Why it matters for Crab
FDA lists crab among lower-mercury fish choices, while cooking reduces foodborne-illness risk.
Practical takeaway
Choose thoroughly cooked crab from a properly chilled or hot serving.
Sources and review details
- Review status
- Source reviewed
- Last reviewed
- Guidance region
- United States
- FDA: Questions and Answers About Eating Fish (opens in a new tab)Checked
- FDA: Eating Out and Bringing In (opens in a new tab)Checked
- The Bump: Top Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy (opens in a new tab)Checked Medically reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD