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Is it safe? · Pregnancy Smart

Is sushi safe during pregnancy?

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

What does the evidence say about sushi during pregnancy?

  1. Raw or undercooked seafood like sushi and sashimi is best avoided during pregnancy because raw fish can carry Listeria, Vibrio, and parasites. 1
  2. Raw fish is on the list of foods to avoid during pregnancy because it can carry harmful germs. 2
  3. Pregnancy makes you more susceptible to Listeria and other bacterial infections that can cross the placenta and reach your baby. 3
  4. Tuna varieties differ in mercury content: yellowfin is a 'Good Choice' for once a week, while bigeye tuna is on the 'Choices to Avoid' list. 4
  5. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely than the general population to get a Listeria infection, one of the specific germs raw sushi can carry. 5

Is sushi safe in each trimester?

  • First trimester. Immune changes in the first trimester raise the impact of any foodborne infection. Stick to cooked-fish rolls only for now.
  • Second trimester. Same guidance as the first trimester: raw fish is out, cooked rolls are in. Also keep an eye on how much mercury you're getting from tuna choices.
  • Third trimester. Same guidance applies. A Listeria infection late in pregnancy can trigger preterm labor, so raw-fish caution continues through delivery.

Frequently asked questions

Is cooked sushi safe during pregnancy?

Yes. Rolls made with fully cooked seafood, like shrimp tempura, cooked eel, or a California roll with imitation crab, are fine, as long as the seafood is low-mercury and prepared somewhere reputable.

What about vegetarian sushi like avocado or cucumber rolls?

Plant-only rolls carry no raw-fish concern. Standard produce-hygiene rules still apply: rinse produce and use trusted restaurants.

Does sushi-grade or previously-frozen fish change the risk?

Deep freezing lowers parasite risk but doesn't eliminate bacterial risk like Listeria. FDA guidance is still to avoid raw fish during pregnancy regardless of freezing.

I ate raw sushi before I knew I was pregnant. What now?

A single exposure is usually uneventful. Watch for fever, chills, muscle aches, or GI symptoms for up to two months and contact your obstetric provider if any develop.

Related in the library

References

  1. Questions & Answers from the FDA/EPA Advice about Eating Fish for Those Who Might Become or Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding

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

  2. Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women: CDC Food Safety

    CDC · https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/pregnant-women.html

  3. 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/

  4. Advice about Eating Fish: FDA

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

  5. People at Increased Risk for Listeria Infection: CDC

    CDC · https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/risk-factors/index.html

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.