Can I Eat Sushi When Pregnant?

The good news is that sushi is not an outright no during pregnancy — but it does require some care. Vegetarian sushi and rolls containing fully cooked seafood are generally fine. The types to avoid are those containing raw fish, raw shellfish, or high-mercury fish such as tuna. Here is everything you need to know to enjoy sushi safely while pregnant.

Quick Answer

Sushi in pregnancy: Caution

Vegetarian or fully cooked sushi is fine. Avoid raw fish, raw shellfish, and any sushi containing high-mercury fish. When in doubt, choose cooked or plant-based options.

Table of Contents

1. Is Sushi Safe in Pregnancy?
2. Which Types of Sushi Are Safe
3. Which Types to Avoid
4. NHS Guidance
5. How to Eat Sushi Safely
6. Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sushi Safe in Pregnancy?

• Raw fish — can carry bacteria and parasites, including Listeria monocytogenes and anisakis worm. Pregnancy suppresses the immune system, making you more susceptible to these infections and their complications.
• Raw shellfish — prawns, oysters, scallops, and clams eaten raw carry a risk of bacterial contamination, including listeria and vibrio bacteria.
• High-mercury fish — certain species accumulate mercury, which in large amounts can affect the developing nervous system of the baby. The NHS advises limiting tuna to no more than two tuna steaks or four medium-sized cans per week, and avoiding shark, swordfish, and marlin entirely.
• Smoked fish — cold-smoked salmon (the sliced variety used in some sushi) carries a small listeria risk and should be avoided unless it is part of a cooked dish.

Which Types of Sushi Are Safe

• Vegetarian rolls — cucumber, avocado, pickled vegetables, tofu, and edamame are all fine
• Cooked prawn or king prawn rolls — provided the prawns are thoroughly cooked and piping hot or have been chilled and kept correctly
• Fully cooked fish — rolls containing tempura-battered and fried fish or cooked crab (real crab, not imitation) are safe
• Imitation crab (surimi) — this is made from processed white fish and is cooked during manufacture, so it is safe
• California rolls — typically contain imitation crab, avocado, and cucumber, making them a popular safe choice
• Miso soup and edamame — both are safe sides

Which Types to Avoid

• Raw salmon, tuna, sea bass, or any raw fish — the most important category to avoid
• Raw oysters, scallops, or mussels
• Sashimi (raw sliced fish served without rice)
• Cold-smoked salmon in sushi unless it is part of a cooked dish
• Tuna rolls more than occasionally — due to mercury content, tuna should be eaten in moderation
• Any roll you are unsure about — if you cannot confirm whether the fish is cooked, skip it

NHS Guidance on Sushi

If you are eating sushi from a restaurant, do not hesitate to ask staff which rolls contain raw fish — a good restaurant will be happy to help.

How to Eat Sushi Safely

• Choose reputable restaurants with high food hygiene ratings (you can check ratings on the Food Standards Agency website at ratings.food.gov.uk)
• Go for cooked or vegetarian options — California rolls, avocado rolls, tempura rolls, and cooked prawn rolls are all reliable choices
• Avoid supermarket sushi with raw fish — pre-packaged raw fish sushi may have been stored for longer; the temperature-safety window is narrower
• Make your own at home using cooked ingredients, so you have full control over freshness and preparation
• Ask before you order if you are unsure what is in a particular roll

Frequently Asked Questions

Try not to worry. A single exposure carries a relatively low risk of infection. Monitor how you feel over the next 24 to 48 hours. If you develop fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, or flu-like symptoms, contact your GP or call 111 and let them know you are pregnant. In the majority of cases, nothing happens, but it is always sensible to get checked promptly if you feel unwell, as listeria in particular can progress quickly in pregnancy.

Is it safe to eat sushi from a supermarket when pregnant?

Pre-packaged supermarket sushi is fine if it contains only cooked or vegetarian ingredients — California rolls or avocado and cucumber rolls, for example. Avoid any pre-packaged sushi containing raw salmon, raw tuna, or other raw fish, and check the use-by date carefully. Pre-packed cooked prawn sushi is also acceptable, provided it is within date and has been kept refrigerated.

Can I eat cooked prawns in sushi?

Yes — cooked prawns are safe in pregnancy. Make sure they are genuinely cooked all the way through (pink with no grey translucency) and have been stored correctly. Avoid raw or partially cooked prawns, which carry a higher bacterial risk.

Your midwife or GP can answer any further questions about food safety during your pregnancy — getting personalised advice is always worthwhile.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Related articles:

• Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Vitamins
• Healthy Diet in Pregnancy