Muka · Pregnancy guide
Can I Eat Shrimp While Pregnant?
Updated June 2026 · based on NHS and official food-safety guidance
Shrimp is low in mercury, so the FDA and EPA put it on their "Best Choices" list and recommend 8 to 12 ounces (2 to 3 servings) of low-mercury seafood a week. The catch is cooking: raw or undercooked shrimp can carry Vibrio, Salmonella and Listeria, which cause food poisoning that is more dangerous in pregnancy. Cook shrimp until it turns opaque and pearly white (an internal 145F / 63C); the NHS says the same, listing cooked prawns as safe and only raw shellfish to avoid.
Good news if you love a prawn cocktail or a shrimp stir-fry: shrimp is one of the easiest seafoods to keep eating in pregnancy. It is low in mercury, high in protein and packed with nutrients your baby needs, so the FDA actively encourages it. The only real rule is that it must be cooked through, since raw shrimp can carry bugs that cause food poisoning. Below is exactly what the NHS, CDC, FDA and ACOG say, broken down by how your shrimp is prepared, so you can scan your plate and order with confidence. For a specific product, the Muka app gives you a verdict in 3 seconds by barcode scan or photo.
Which types of shrimp are safe in pregnancy?
| Shrimp | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Thoroughly cooked shrimp (steaming hot, opaque and pearly white) | Safe | The NHS lists cooked prawns as safe, and the FDA puts shrimp on its Best Choices list for low mercury. Cooking to an internal 145F / 63C kills Vibrio, Salmonella and Listeria. Look for flesh that has turned from grey to pinky-red and is opaque throughout. |
| Cold pre-cooked or ready-to-eat prawns (e.g. in a salad or sandwich) | Safe | Pre-cooked prawns have already been heat-treated, so the NHS confirms cold pre-cooked prawns are fine to eat. Keep them properly chilled, check the use-by date, and avoid any that have been left out at room temperature. |
| Cooked shrimp sushi (ebi) or shrimp tempura roll | Safe | Sushi made with fully cooked shrimp, such as ebi nigiri or a tempura roll, is safe because the shrimp is not raw. Just make sure it is the cooked variety and not a raw or marinated preparation. |
| Shrimp from a buffet, takeaway or left out a while | In moderation | Cooked shrimp is only as safe as its handling. Shrimp that has sat at room temperature, been reheated poorly or left in a warm buffet can grow bacteria. Eat it freshly cooked and piping hot, or well chilled, and skip it if you are unsure how long it has been out. |
| Raw or undercooked shrimp (ceviche, marinated or raw prawns, raw shrimp sushi) | Avoid | Raw and undercooked shrimp can carry Vibrio, Salmonella and Listeria. The NHS says avoid all raw shellfish, and the CDC, FDA and ACOG advise against raw or undercooked seafood in pregnancy because these infections are more serious for you and your baby. |
| Very high quantities (well over 12 oz seafood a week) | In moderation | Shrimp itself is low in mercury, but the FDA and EPA cap total low-mercury seafood at 8 to 12 ounces (2 to 3 servings) a week as a variety. Enjoy shrimp regularly within that limit rather than relying on one seafood every day. |
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Download Muka on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
Is cooked shrimp safe to eat during pregnancy?
Yes. Thoroughly cooked shrimp is safe and recommended. The NHS lists cooked prawns among safe foods, and the FDA places shrimp on its Best Choices list because it is low in mercury. Cook it until it is opaque and pearly white, or an internal 145F (63C), which kills bacteria like Vibrio and Listeria.
Can I eat cold pre-cooked prawns while pregnant?
Yes. Cold pre-cooked or ready-to-eat prawns are fine in pregnancy because they have already been cooked during processing, according to the NHS. Keep them chilled, check the use-by date, and do not eat any that have been sitting out at room temperature, since poor storage can let bacteria grow.
How much shrimp can I eat per week in pregnancy?
Shrimp is low in mercury, so it fits comfortably within the FDA and EPA advice of 8 to 12 ounces, or 2 to 3 servings, of low-mercury seafood each week. Eating a variety of low-mercury fish and shellfish is encouraged in pregnancy because it supports your baby's brain and eye development.
Can I eat shrimp sushi or tempura while pregnant?
Cooked shrimp sushi is fine. Ebi (cooked shrimp) nigiri and shrimp tempura rolls use shrimp that is fully cooked, so they are safe in pregnancy. Avoid sushi made with raw shrimp, raw fish sashimi or ceviche, since raw seafood can carry bacteria and parasites that are riskier while you are pregnant.
I ate raw shrimp before I knew, should I worry?
Try not to panic. Most people who eat a little raw shrimp have no problems at all, and serious infections are rare. Watch for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps or chills over the next few days to weeks, and contact your midwife or doctor if you feel unwell or are concerned.
Sources
- NHS — Foods to avoid in pregnancy: nhs.uk
See also: how Muka works, the pregnancy food scanner that answers “can I eat this while pregnant?”.