Is it safe to eat Sushi (raw fish) during pregnancy?

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Is Sushi (raw fish) safe in pregnancy?

Verdict

✗ Better to skip

Skip raw sushi during pregnancy. Cooked sushi rolls are fine.

Why

Raw fish carries a small risk of listeria and parasites. ACOG and the FDA recommend avoiding raw fish during pregnancy. Sushi-grade restaurant fish in the US is generally low-risk for parasites, but the listeria risk does not go away with quality alone.

The specifics

Cooked sushi (eel, tempura, fully cooked salmon rolls, vegetable rolls) is fine. Avoid raw tuna, salmon sashimi, ceviche, and tartare.

Sources

ACOG Nutrition During Pregnancy 2023, FDA Fish Advisory 2024

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