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Is it safe? · Pregnancy Smart

Are anchovies safe during pregnancy?

Assigned clinical reviewerMichael Yuzefovich· MD, FACOGDraft · pending clinical reviewUpdated

What does the evidence say about anchovies during pregnancy?

  1. Anchovies appear on the FDA and EPA's Best Choices list of lower-mercury fish, the same category as salmon, sardines, and trout. 1
  2. The recommended amount for pregnant and breastfeeding people is 8 to 12 ounces a week of Best Choices fish like anchovies, about 2 to 3 servings, since fish provides omega-3s, choline, and iodine that support the baby's brain development. 2
  3. Choosing a variety of lower-mercury fish rather than eating the same one repeatedly is the general guidance, and skipping the highest-mercury fish, like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, matters more than any single choice like anchovies. 3
  4. Raw or undercooked seafood carries a separate risk from bacteria and parasites, which is why any fresh, raw, or lightly salted anchovy preparation, like some deli-counter marinated styles, sits in a different category from the shelf-stable canned or fully cooked anchovies used in everyday cooking. 4
  5. Fish and shellfish are recommended to reach an internal temperature of 145°F before eating, the same general seafood-safety standard that applies to any fresh or lightly salted anchovy preparation, not just the canned or oil-packed kind. 4

Is anchovies safe in each trimester?

  • First trimester. Anchovies are a fine low-mercury protein option from the start, and their omega-3 content supports early fetal brain development just as well as salmon or sardines do. Stick to canned, jarred, or fully cooked preparations.
  • Second trimester. Steady seafood intake through the recommended 8 to 12 ounces a week, spread across low-mercury choices like anchovies, continues to matter as the baby's brain and nervous system keep developing. Rinsing oil-packed or salt-packed anchovies cuts down on sodium if that's a concern.
  • Third trimester. The same low-mercury guidance holds through the third trimester. If you're craving anchovies on a pizza, in a Caesar dressing, or straight from the tin, all of those are fine as long as they're the shelf-stable canned or cooked kind rather than fresh and raw.

Frequently asked questions

Are canned anchovies pre-cooked and safe to eat right away?

Yes. Canned and jarred anchovies are commercially processed and shelf-stable, which puts them in a different category from fresh raw fish. They're a convenient, ready-to-eat choice from the FDA's low-mercury Best Choices list.

Is anchovy paste the same as fresh anchovies?

Anchovy paste is made from cooked, preserved anchovies, similar to the canned or jarred kind, so it carries the same general reassurance as other shelf-stable anchovy products rather than the caution that applies to raw fish.

Are deli-counter marinated anchovies riskier than jarred ones?

Fresh, lightly salted anchovies sold cold at a deli counter, sometimes called boquerones, haven't been through the same shelf-stable processing as canned or jarred anchovies. Handling them like any other fresh, raw-adjacent seafood, and confirming they're fully cooked or properly heated, is the more cautious approach.

Is the anchovy in Caesar dressing a separate concern?

Most bottled and restaurant Caesar dressing uses commercially processed anchovy paste or filets, the same shelf-stable category as canned anchovies. A dressing made fresh with raw egg is a separate question worth checking on, but the anchovy itself isn't the added concern.

Are anchovies high in sodium?

Canned and oil-packed anchovies are salted and packed for shelf stability, so they run higher in sodium than a fresh fish fillet. Rinsing them briefly or using them in small amounts, the way most recipes call for, keeps the sodium contribution modest.

Related in the library

References

  1. Advice about Eating Fish

    FDA · https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish

  2. Questions & Answers from the FDA/EPA Advice about Eating Fish for Those Who Might Become or Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding and Children Ages 1 to 11 Years

    FDA · https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/questions-answers-fdaepa-advice-about-eating-fish-those-who-might-become-or-are-pregnant-or

  3. Methylmercury: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet

    MotherToBaby · https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/methylmercury-pregnancy/

  4. Eating Raw, Undercooked, or Cold Meats and Seafood: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet

    MotherToBaby · https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/eating-raw-undercooked-or-cold-meats-and-seafood/

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.