Fish
Safe
Safe
Safe
Bass
Moderate levels of mercury have been detected in this fish. Avoid where possible but it should be fine in very limited quantities.
Bluefish
There are moderate levels of mercury in this fish, and you should avoid if possible. It should be fine in very limited quantities.
Bombay Duck
Unsafe levels of mercury have reportedly been found in Bombay Duck found off the shore of India. Be sure to double check the source.
Safe
Safe
Carp
Carp can contain moderate levels of mercury, and should only be eaten in strictly limited quantities.
Safe
Caviar (Sturgeon Roe)
Be sure it is pasteurised or else there is a danger of contracting listeria.
Cockle
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Raw shellfish isn't safe for pregnant women.
Crab
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Raw shellfish is considered unsafe for pregnant women.
Safe
Crayfish
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Make sure you cook this thoroughly - raw shellfish is unsafe if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Cuttlefish
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Eating raw shellfish can be harmful during pregnancy.
Dogfish (Rock Salmon)
Don't consume this fish more than twice a week. It can contain harmful levels of pollutants.
Safe
Dungeness Crab
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Make sure you cook this well as raw shellfish can be harmful during pregnancy.
Safe
Safe
Flounder
Flounders are considered especially safe to consume and needn't be limited during pregnancy.
Gravlax (Gravadlax)
This dish, prepared with raw and unfrozen fish, can be contaminated with harmful bacteria so is best to avoid.
Safe
Halibut
While Halibut is safe, it is not recommended to consume more than two servings a week while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Herring
Herring is an oily fish and may contain build ups of pollutants - don't eat more than two servings a week.
Ikura (Salmon Roe)
Fish roe (eggs) is considered safe for consumption while pregnant, as long as it's been thoroughly cooked and/or pasteurised.
Jellied Eels
Jellied eels are cooked during the preparation process, but do contain high quantities of vitamin A so don't eat too many.
Safe
Jellyfish
Make sure it is well cooked.
As long as it's safe for human consumption - and cooked well - it should be fine while pregnant.
Safe
Kazunoko (Herring Roe)
Fish roe (eggs) should be safe to eat while pregnant, as long as they have been thoroughly cooked and/or pasteurised beforehand.
King Crab
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Only eat this if it's cooked well, as raw shellfish is unsafe to consume during pregnancy.
Kingfish (King Mackarel)
This is not recommended for pregnant women due to the levels of mercury found in the fish's system.
Lamprey
High levels of mercury have been detected in lampreys.
Lobster
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Cook this thoroughly before eating as raw shellfish is unsafe.
Safe
Lox
Uncooked (and unfrozen) fish can be host to harmful bacteria.
Lumpfish Roe
Fish roe (eggs) need to be thoroughly cooked and/or pasteurised before they can be considered safe.
Lutefisk
Lutefisk contains numerous harmful chemicals. Although these are usually removed and/or reduced during the preparation and cooking process, it's best to be on the safe side if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Unsafe
Mahi Mahi (Dorado)
Moderate levels of mercury mean you shouldn't consume more than six six-ounce portions per month.
Masago (Capelin Roe)
Make sure any fish roe (eggs) that you eat are thoroughly cooked and/or pasteurised.
Safe
Moonfish (Opah, Cusk)
Only eat this once a fortnight to prevent a build up of mercury.
Safe
Mussel
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Ensure mussels are cooked thoroughly as raw shellfish is unsuitable for a pregnant woman's diet.
Safe
Safe
Oyster
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Make sure oysters are cooked well before eating - raw shellfish is unsafe during pregnancy.
Safe
Patagonian Toothfish (Chilean Seabass)
There are moderate levels of mercury in this fish, and you should avoid if possible. It should be fine in very limited quantities.
Safe
Periwinkle (Winkle)
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Raw shellfish is considered unsafe for pregnant women.
Pickled Cockles
These are cooked during preparation, although usually served cold, so don't have the same cause for concern as raw shellfish.
Safe
Pilchard
Pilchards are classed as oily (and may contain chemical pollutants) and you shouldn't eat more than two portions a week if you're pregnant.
Safe
Safe
Safe
Safe
Portuguese Dogfish (Siki)
Don't eat more than 150g a week.
Prawn
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Pregnant women should not eat raw shellfish.
Prawns (Shrimp)
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Be sure to cook this well before eating; raw shellfish can be harmful.
Pufferfish (Fugu)
Incredibly difficult to prepare safely. If prepared poorly it is toxic to humans and can be lethal.
Unsafe
Safe
Sablefish (Black Cod)
There are moderate levels of mercury in this fish, and you should avoid if possible. It shouldn't be an issue in strictly limited amounts.
Salmon
All varieties of salmon (in all preparations - i.e. smoked, canned, fresh) are considered low in mercury. However, because they are oily, pregnant women shouldn't consume more than two portions per week to avoid a build up of pollutants.
Careful
Sanddab
Do not have more than two or three times a week.
Sardine
Due to their oily nature, sardines can contain other pollutants. Sardines are fine to consume while pregnant, but don't have more than two portions a week.
Scallop
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Shellfish on the whole is safe, but make sure it's cooked first as raw dishes can be harmful.
Scampi (Langoustine)
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Safe
Sea Bass
Don't have this fish more than twice a week as they can contain similar pollutants to oily fish. Infrequent consumption is perfectly fine.
Sea Bream (Porgies)
Do not eat more than two portions a week. Studies have shown that sea bream can contain unsafe contaminants which may build up over repeated consumption.
Sea Cucumber
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Careful
Safe
Safe
Shad Roe
Listeria can be a problem in fish roe (eggs) as they are often served raw. Make sure roe is cooked and/or pasteurised to reduce the chance of contracting it.
Shrimp Paste
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Shrimp paste can be made from air- or sun-dried fish, so make sure it is cooked before eating it (in the dishes it is most common, such as curries, it will be safe).
Safe
Unsafe
Snapper
Snapper may contain moderate levels of mercury. It's best avoided, but a few small portions a month should be fine.
Careful
Snow Crab
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Raw shellfish can be harmful during pregnancy.
Safe
Sprat
Sprats are oily and should therefore only be eaten (at most) twice a week to avoid build-ups of potentially harmful contaminants.
Careful
Safe
Sturgeon
Limit consumption to two portions per week to avoid potentially harmful levels of pollutants.
Sushi
Sushi is often safe to eat while pregnant, but check each ingredient to be on the safe side.
Tobiko (Flying Fish Roe)
Fish roe (eggs) are considered safe for consumption while pregnant - but only if it has been thoroughly cooked and/or pasteurised so the chance of contracting listeria is reduced.
Trout
This oily fish should not be consumed more than twice a week.
Tuna (Albacore, Yellowfin, Bigeye, Skipjack, Bluefin)
Tuna can contain high levels of mercury and when it's fresh it is also considered oily. Don't eat more than two medium-sized portions of fresh tuna (or more than four cans of canned tuna) a week.
Turbot
Don't eat more than two portions a week because it could have similar levels of pollutants as oily fish.
Uni (Sea Urchin Roe)
Uni, or sea urchin roe, should be safe as long as it has been cooked well and/or pasteurised.
Wahoo
No more than once every two weeks.
Whelks
Only if it is thoroughly cooked, melting and slightly burnt.
Raw shellfish is unhealthy for pregnant women, so make sure to cook thoroughly before eating.
Whitebait
Don't eat this oily fish more than twice a week.
Careful
Safe
Safe