Is Crab Cakes Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, with caution. Crab cakes can be safe during pregnancy when fully cooked and made with pregnancy safe ingredients. However, some commercial crab cakes contain white wine, alcohol, or other ingredients to avoid always check labels or ask about ingredients when dining out.
Crab itself is a low mercury seafood that's nutritious during pregnancy, providing protein, zinc, B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. The concern with crab cakes isn't the crab it's the added ingredients. Some recipes include white wine, which should be avoided entirely during pregnancy, while others contain preservatives like sodium benzoate or high fructose corn syrup that warrant caution. Choosing simple, homemade, or carefully vetted commercial options ensures you get the nutritional benefits without the risks.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Fully cooked crab cakes heated to an internal temperature of 145°F or higher
- • Simple ingredient lists with crab meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, and basic seasonings
- • Brands with A or B+ grades like Phillips, Handy, or Specially Selected
- • Fresh or frozen crab cakes from reputable grocery stores with clear ingredient labels
- • Limit to 2-3 servings (6-12 oz total crab) per week as part of your seafood intake
- • Homemade crab cakes where you control all ingredients
✗ What to Avoid
- • Crab cakes made with white wine or cooking wine alcohol should be avoided entirely during pregnancy
- • Products containing fenugreek, which has been associated with neural tube defects
- • Recipes with horseradish in large amounts, which may cause digestive irritation
- • Undercooked or raw crab preparations due to Vibrio and Listeria risk
- • Crab cakes from buffets or steam tables where temperature control is uncertain
- • Products with high fructose corn syrup or multiple preservatives like sodium benzoate
Most Common Ingredients in Crab Cakes Products
We analyzed 65 crab cakes products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Crab Cakes
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 65 crab cakes products we analyzed.
white wine
AVOID
White wine is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 13 of 65 products (20%)
leavening sodium aluminum phosphate
CAUTION
Leavening sodium aluminum phosphate is a common metal found in food, cookware, antiperspirants, antacids, and vaccine adjuvants. Has been associated with reduced fetal growth, neural tube defects, and congenital heart defects at elevated exposure levels.
Found in 10 of 65 products (15%)
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 7 of 65 products (11%)
sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 4 of 65 products (6%)
alcohol
CAUTION
Alcohol is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 2 of 65 products (3%)
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 65 products (3%)
fenugreek
AVOID
Fenugreek is a legume seed used as a spice and for lactation support. Has been associated with neural tube defects and may stimulate uterine contractions.
Found in 1 of 65 products (2%)
horseradish
AVOID
Horseradish is a pungent root vegetable used as a condiment. Contains compounds that may cause digestive irritation and has shown developmental toxicity in animals.
Found in 1 of 65 products (2%)
Crab Cakes Products We've Analyzed
We graded 65 crab cakes products for pregnancy safety. 12 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Crab Cakes Products
We found 12 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Jonah Crab Cakes | — |
| A | Phillips Crab Cakes | Phillips |
| A | Maryland Style Crab Cake Minis | Phillips |
| A | Classic Crab Cake Mix, Classic | — |
| A | Handy Crab Cakes, 2 Count, 6.0 Oz | Handy |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat crab cakes?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat crab cakes when they're fully cooked and made with pregnancy safe ingredients. Crab is a low mercury seafood recommended by the FDA as a healthy choice during pregnancy. The key is ensuring the crab cakes reach an internal temperature of 145°F and checking that the recipe doesn't include white wine, alcohol, or other ingredients to avoid. Stick to 2-3 servings of seafood per week total.
What are the risks of crab cakes during pregnancy?
The main risks come from ingredients rather than the crab itself. Some crab cake recipes include white wine or cooking wine, and no amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy due to the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Other concerns include undercooked crab, which can harbor Vibrio bacteria or Listeria, and certain additives like fenugreek or excessive preservatives. Always verify ingredients and ensure thorough cooking to minimize these risks.
Can I eat crabcakes while pregnant?
Yes, you can eat crab cakes while pregnant as long as they're fully cooked and don't contain problematic ingredients like white wine or alcohol. Crab is actually a nutritious choice, providing protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential minerals like zinc and selenium. When ordering at restaurants, ask if the recipe contains wine or alcohol. For store bought options, check the ingredient label and choose brands with simple, recognizable ingredients.
Can I eat crab cakes at a restaurant while pregnant?
You can eat restaurant crab cakes during pregnancy, but take a few precautions. Ask your server whether the recipe contains white wine, cooking wine, or alcohol many traditional recipes do. Confirm the crab cakes are cooked fresh and served hot, not from a buffet or steam table where temperature may be inconsistent. Reputable restaurants that cook to order are generally safe choices when you verify the ingredients.
Is imitation crab in crab cakes safe during pregnancy?
Imitation crab (surimi) is generally safe during pregnancy when fully cooked. It's made from processed white fish, typically pollock, and is low in mercury. However, imitation crab cakes should still be heated thoroughly before eating, as the surimi may have been handled after initial cooking. Check labels for additives, and note that imitation crab provides less nutritional benefit than real crab but can be a budget friendly alternative.
How much crab can I eat while pregnant?
The FDA recommends 2-3 servings (8-12 ounces) of low mercury seafood per week during pregnancy, and crab falls into this safe category. A typical crab cake contains 2-4 ounces of crab meat, so you could safely enjoy crab cakes a few times per week as part of your total seafood intake. Eating a variety of seafood rather than the same type repeatedly helps maximize nutritional benefits while minimizing any single exposure risk.
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.
People Also Checked
References
- https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping well/drinking alcohol while pregnant/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7061927/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7807528/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetal_alcohol_spectrum_disorder
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3297711/
- https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcohol/risks effects dangers/pregnancy
- https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF Guide/Drinking Alcohol in Pregnancy Fetal Alcohol Effects-093.aspx
- https://www.nature.com/articles/pr200789
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases conditions/fetal alcohol syndrome/symptoms causes/syc-20352901
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15677-fetal alcohol syndrome
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39674018/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39009234/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39084009/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38777875/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38416341/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38190032/
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