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Is Seafood Safe During Pregnancy?

Tips on Enjoying Fish, Shellfish, Shrimp and Other Seafood While Expecting

By Allison Gamble, Nutritionist

Now that you're eating for two, you're probably thinking twice about the foods you consume. One food group that many pregnant women have questions about is seafood, specifically fish. Is it safe to eat during pregnancy? This question arises during pregnancy because of the possible exposure to bacteria in fish which may cause food poisoning, and to chemicals that have contaminated the oceans and lakes. Certain tropical fish have natural toxins that can hurt your or your baby. Below are some answers that will help you make informed choices about the seafood in your diet.

Normally, when you cook fish or any animal product, cooking the food to the correct temperature reduces or kills the bacteria. That's why it is very important to know the correct degree to cook the interior of your beef, fish, chicken and eggs. Keep foods out of the danger zone: 40 degrees Fahrenheit up to 140 degrees F. Keep cold foods below 40 degrees F and hot foods above 140 F. Always thoroughly wash your hands after touching raw fish or seafood, and carefully clean and disinfect all surfaces the food has touched.

Uncleaned, raw or undercooked fish may carry a risk of parasitic infection (worms), though shellfish is the culprit behind the majority of seafood-borne illness. The FDA says the greatest risk is from raw or undercooked molluscan shellfish, particularly clams, oysters and mussels from contaminated waters. Bacteria such as Salmonella, Vibrio parahemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus and Staphylococcus aureus have all been found in raw seafood. Still, the risk of getting sick from raw shellfish is about one in 250,000, compared with the one in a million chance of illness from any other type of seafood. (You may think that a one in 250,000 chance is too close for comfort, but keep in mind that chicken causes food poisoning in about one in 25,000 people.)

Want to see more?

• Awesome Omegas: The Importance of DHA for Mom and Baby
• Dietary Cautions: 7 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
• Eating for Two Healthfully: Dietary Needs During Pregnancy
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!