Is Clam Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, clams are safe to eat during pregnancy when fully cooked. With 23 A grade and 16 B+ grade clam products available, most commercial clam options are pregnancy safe when prepared properly.
Clams are a nutritious low mercury shellfish that can be part of a healthy pregnancy diet. They provide protein, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids beneficial for fetal development. The key safety concern is ensuring clams are thoroughly cooked to kill any harmful bacteria or parasites that could cause foodborne illness.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Fully cooked clams that have opened during cooking (discard any that remain closed)
- • Commercial canned or jarred clam products from reputable brands like Cento or Bar Harbor
- • Clam juice and clam broth products, which are pre cooked and shelf stable
- • Restaurant clam chowder and clam dishes served steaming hot
- • 2-3 servings of low mercury shellfish like clams per week as part of the recommended 8-12 oz of seafood
- • Fresh clams from reliable seafood suppliers with proper refrigeration
✗ What to Avoid
- • Raw or undercooked clams, including raw clams on the half shell
- • Clams that don't open during cooking (indicates they were dead before cooking)
- • Clams from unverified sources or potentially polluted waters
- • Stuffed clam products with high fructose corn syrup or artificial additives if concerned about processed ingredients
- • Clams left at room temperature for more than 2 hours
Most Common Ingredients in Clam Products
We analyzed 54 clam products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Clam
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 54 clam products we analyzed.
high fructose corn syrup
CAUTION
High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch and widely used in processed foods and beverages. Has been associated with placental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and metabolic programming of offspring in animal studies, and with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in epidemiological studies of humans.
Found in 6 of 54 products (11%)
red 40
CAUTION
Red 40 is a synthetic red food coloring. May affect neurobehavioral development based on animal studies at high doses.
Found in 3 of 54 products (6%)
sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate is a food preservative in beverages and processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses and may form benzene when combined with vitamin C.
Found in 2 of 54 products (4%)
hydrogenated soybean oil
CAUTION
Hydrogenated soybean oil is processed oils containing artificial trans fats. Is associated with preeclampsia and may interfere with fetal brain development.
Found in 1 of 54 products (2%)
sodium nitrate
CAUTION
Sodium nitrate is compounds used as food preservatives and found in water. May impair fetal oxygen availability and are associated with preterm birth at high exposure levels.
Found in 1 of 54 products (2%)
Clam Products We've Analyzed
We graded 54 clam products for pregnancy safety. 23 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Clam Products
We found 23 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Gordon'S, Chesapeake Classics, Clam Broth Juice | — |
| A | Whole White Clam | — |
| A | Roland, All Natural Clam Juice | — |
| A | Clam Juice | — |
| A | Sea Clam Juice | — |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat clams?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat clams when they are fully cooked. Clams are classified as a low mercury shellfish by the FDA and EPA, making them a good seafood choice during pregnancy. The key is ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 145°F or until the shells open. Pregnant women can enjoy 2-3 servings of clams per week as part of the recommended 8-12 ounces of low mercury seafood.
What are the risks of eating clams during pregnancy?
The primary risk of eating clams during pregnancy comes from consuming them raw or undercooked. Raw clams can harbor harmful bacteria like Vibrio and Listeria, as well as parasites that can cause serious foodborne illness. These infections can lead to complications including dehydration, preterm labor, or transmission to the fetus. However, properly cooked clams pose minimal risk and provide nutritional benefits including protein, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Can you eat clams if you are pregnant?
Yes, you can eat clams while pregnant as long as they are thoroughly cooked. Cooked clams are considered safe and nutritious, providing essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin B12 that support a healthy pregnancy. Avoid raw clams entirely, and ensure cooked clams have opened during the cooking process. Canned clams and clam juice are also safe options since they are pre cooked during processing.
Can I eat clam chowder during pregnancy?
Yes, clam chowder is generally safe to eat during pregnancy because the clams are cooked in the soup. Whether you prefer New England or Manhattan style, the cooking process kills harmful bacteria. When ordering at restaurants, ensure the chowder is served hot. Homemade clam chowder is also safe when clams are fully cooked. Some commercial clam chowders may contain additives, so check labels if you prefer to avoid processed ingredients.
Is canned clam juice safe during pregnancy?
Yes, canned clam juice is safe during pregnancy. The canning process involves heating the product to temperatures that kill harmful bacteria, making it a convenient and safe option. Clam juice can be used in cooking seafood dishes, pasta sauces, and soups. Most clam juice products receive an A grade for pregnancy safety due to their simple, clean ingredient lists without concerning additives.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains ingredients with established risks during pregnancy. Research shows these can cause birth defects, developmental harm, or serious maternal complications.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
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References
- https://thrivemarket.com/blog/heres a-convincing reason to avoid high fructose corn syrup during pregnancy
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1203063/full
- https://www.nature.com/articles/srep25091
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955286322000225
- https://www.orlandohealth.com/content hub/why you should not consume high fructose corn syrup if you are pregnant/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7441786/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35123000/
- https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/32/12/2314/25900/Dietary Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522034220
- https://medicine.washu.edu/news/high fructose diet pregnancy may harm placenta restrict fetal growth/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6685737/
- https://www.cdc.gov/maternal infant health/pregnancy diabetes/index.html
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5491864/
- https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1113/JP274066
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4398903/
- https://www.obgproject.com/2023/01/02/acog releases updated guidance gestational diabetes/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.848983/full
- https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.07.02.600389v1.full text
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12620731/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10469680/
