Is Shrimp Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, shrimp is safe and recommended during pregnancy. It's one of the FDA's 'Best Choices' for seafood due to its low mercury content and high nutritional value.
Shrimp is an excellent protein source during pregnancy, providing omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and zinc essential for fetal development. The FDA classifies shrimp as a low mercury seafood, making it one of the safest fish options for pregnant women. Most shrimp products (over 94%) in our database receive A or B+ grades for pregnancy safety.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Fully cooked shrimp that reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C)
- • Fresh or frozen shrimp from reputable grocery stores or suppliers
- • Wild caught or farm raised shrimp from trusted sources with clear labeling
- • Plain shrimp without added sauces or seasonings containing flagged ingredients
- • FDA recommends 2-3 servings (8-12 oz) of low mercury seafood per week during pregnancy
✗ What to Avoid
- • Raw or undercooked shrimp, including sushi, ceviche, or shrimp cocktail with raw shrimp
- • Shrimp from unknown or unregulated sources, including recreationally caught shrimp from potentially contaminated waters
- • Pre made shrimp dishes with cocktail sauce containing horseradish (flagged for pregnancy)
- • Breaded or processed shrimp products containing Red 40 or sodium aluminum phosphate
- • Shrimp left at room temperature for more than 2 hours or improperly stored
Most Common Ingredients in Shrimp Products
We analyzed 1,610 shrimp products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Shrimp
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 1,610 shrimp products we analyzed.
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 25 of 1,610 products (2%)
prepared horseradish horseradish
AVOID
Prepared horseradish 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 18 of 1,610 products (1%)
red 40
CAUTION
Red 40 is a synthetic red food coloring. May affect neurobehavioral development based on animal studies at high doses.
Found in 9 of 1,610 products (1%)
sodium aluminum phosphate
CAUTION
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 8 of 1,610 products (0%)
horseradish flavor
AVOID
Horseradish flavor 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 7 of 1,610 products (0%)
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 7 of 1,610 products (0%)
prepared horseradish
AVOID
Prepared 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 5 of 1,610 products (0%)
artificial horseradish flavor
AVOID
Artificial horseradish flavor 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 4 of 1,610 products (0%)
Shrimp Products We've Analyzed
We graded 1,610 shrimp products for pregnancy safety. 535 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Shrimp Products
We found 535 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Shrimp | Kirkland Signature |
| A | Patagonian Pink Easy Peel, Shell On, Deveined Raw Wild Shrimp, Patagonian Pink | Aqua Star |
| A | Trader Joe'S Raw Argentinian Red Shrimp 16 Oz | Trader Joe'S |
| A | Private Selection® Extra Large Ez Peel Raw Shrimp | Private Selection |
| A | Peeled & Deveined Jumbo Raw Shrimp | — |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat shrimp?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat shrimp. The FDA lists shrimp as one of the 'Best Choices' for seafood during pregnancy due to its low mercury levels. Shrimp provides important nutrients like protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and iron that support fetal development. Just ensure it's fully cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F and limit total seafood intake to 2-3 servings per week.
What are the risks of shrimp during pregnancy?
The main risks of shrimp during pregnancy come from improper preparation rather than the shrimp itself. Raw or undercooked shrimp can harbor harmful bacteria like Listeria or Vibrio that pose risks to pregnant women. Shrimp from contaminated waters may contain pollutants. However, properly cooked shrimp from reputable sources is considered very safe, with mercury levels well below concerning thresholds.
Is cooked shrimp high in mercury?
No, cooked shrimp is very low in mercury. Shrimp contains only about 0.009 ppm of mercury on average, which is among the lowest of all seafood options. This makes shrimp one of the FDA's 'Best Choices' for pregnant women. You can safely enjoy 2-3 servings of shrimp per week without concern about mercury exposure affecting your baby's development.
How much shrimp can I eat while pregnant?
The FDA recommends pregnant women eat 8-12 ounces (2-3 servings) of low mercury seafood per week, and shrimp counts toward this total. A typical serving is about 4 ounces or roughly 6-8 large shrimp. You can safely include shrimp as part of your weekly seafood intake alongside other low mercury options like salmon, tilapia, or cod.
Is shrimp cocktail safe during pregnancy?
Shrimp cocktail can be safe during pregnancy if the shrimp is fully cooked and properly chilled. However, be cautious with the cocktail sauce many contain horseradish, which is flagged for pregnancy due to compounds that may cause digestive irritation. Check the sauce ingredients or opt for plain cooked shrimp with lemon. Also ensure the shrimp hasn't been sitting at room temperature for extended periods.
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
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