Can you eat raw scallops while pregnant?
Not advisedAvoid raw scallops during pregnancy. Seared or pan-cooked scallops are safe once the flesh is opaque and firm.
Why
Raw scallops are shellfish served without heat, so they can carry Vibrio, norovirus, and Listeria, and Listeria is the one that can cross the placenta and harm the baby even when your own symptoms are mild. The CDC advises pregnant readers against raw and undercooked fish and shellfish, and FoodSafety.gov names raw shellfish as a pregnancy food to skip. Cooked scallops stay sweet and tender, and they are low in mercury, so you lose nothing by asking for them seared through.
Safer alternatives
- pan-seared scallops cooked until opaque in the center
- scallops baked in garlic butter
- grilled scallop skewers
- scallops poached in a cooked chowder
- cooked shrimp or lobster as a raw-bar substitute
Sources
- CDC https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/pregnant-women.html
- FoodSafety.gov https://www.foodsafety.gov/people-at-risk/pregnant-women
Every verdict follows our sourcing methodology: official health guidelines only, most cautious position when they differ.
Last reviewed by the pregAI editorial team.
Frequently asked questions
Are seared scallops that are still translucent in the middle safe?
No, a translucent center means the inside is still raw. Ask the kitchen to cook them through so the flesh is opaque and firm all the way to the middle.
Is hotate sashimi at a sushi bar an exception?
It is not. Hotate sashimi is raw scallop, so it carries the same Listeria and Vibrio risk as any raw shellfish. Cooked options like unagi or ebi are better picks.
Are scallops high in mercury?
No, scallops are among the lowest mercury seafoods and a good source of protein and B12. Cooking is the only thing you need to get right.
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Get instant verdicts on any foodpregAI is informational only and is not medical advice. Always check with your doctor or midwife about anything specific to your pregnancy.