Can I eat mussels while pregnant?
Doola Scan's answer in the United StatesCooked mussels, steamed, baked, fried or canned, show No known issues in Doola Scan in all six countries, while raw mussels show Avoid in all six. What decides it is cooking: Health Canada asks for mussels to be eaten only when cooked until the shells open, and the NHS says raw or not thoroughly cooked mussels can carry harmful viruses and bacteria. Health NZ names marinated raw mussels among the shellfish not to eat, and Ireland's HSE says the risk from shellfish is highest if pre-cooked.
Checked against Doola Scan's pregnancy rules · UpdatedSteamed or cooked mussels, shells opened
No known issuesIn all six countriesBaked or fried mussels
No known issuesIn all six countriesCanned and smoked mussels
No known issuesIn all six countries
Mussels while pregnant: what each country says.
Each country's own pregnancy guidance on mussels, with a link to it. Doola Scan uses your country's first.
No known issuesNone of the six countries' pregnancy guidance names mussels.
United States
No known issuesRaw or marinated raw musselsMussels cooked in white wine- CDCNo known safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant; all types harmful.Source
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans (USDA/HHS)Pregnant women should completely avoid alcohol.Source
- MyHealthfinder (HHS)Don't drink alcohol; no amount is safe in pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant.Source
- ACOGAny amount of alcohol is at-risk drinking in pregnancy.Source
- CDCNo known safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant.Source
United Kingdom
No known issuesRaw or marinated raw mussels- NHSRaw shellfish can carry bacteria, viruses or toxins.Source
Mussels cooked in white wine- NHSAlcohol passes to the baby and can cause lifelong harm (FASD).Source
- NICEExplain there is no known safe level; the safest approach is to avoid alcohol altogether.Source
- RCOGSafest not to drink at all when pregnant or possibly pregnant.Source
- NHSDo not drink alcohol if pregnant or planning to become pregnant.Source
Canada
No known issuesRaw or marinated raw musselsMussels cooked in white wine- CPSNo amount of alcohol is considered safe in pregnancy.Source
- Health CanadaSafest choice is no alcohol when pregnant or planning a pregnancy.Source
- SOGCNo known safe amount: safest not to drink when pregnant or if you might become pregnant.Source
- Health CanadaNo amount or type of alcohol in pregnancy is considered safe.Source
Australia
No known issuesRaw or marinated raw mussels- Better Health Channel (Victoria)Avoid raw oysters and other raw seafood.Source
- FSANZAvoid raw oysters and other chilled raw seafood.Source
- NSW Food AuthorityDo not eat raw seafood.Source
- NSW HealthDo not eat raw seafood.Source
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government Dept of Health)No raw oysters or other raw seafood.Source
Mussels cooked in white wine- Australian Government Department of HealthDo not drink alcohol when pregnant or planning a pregnancy.Source
- Better Health Channel (Victoria)Safest not to drink alcohol at all when pregnant.Source
- FSANZWomen who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not drink alcohol.Source
- NHMRCWomen who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should not drink alcohol.Source
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government Dept of Health)Safest not to drink alcohol when planning, pregnant or breastfeeding.Source
New Zealand
No known issuesRaw or marinated raw mussels- Health NZAny raw shellfish, including marinated raw mussels: don't eat.Source
Ireland
No known issuesRaw or marinated raw mussels- HSEAvoid clams, oysters, scallops, prawns and mussels.Source
Mussels cooked in white wine- HSENo amount of alcohol at any stage of pregnancy is safe; do not drink when trying to conceive.Source
Before you eat mussels.
Cook mussels until the shells open
The FDA says clams, mussels and oysters are cooked when the shells open, and to throw away any that stay closed. Health Canada asks for mussels to be eaten only when cooked until the shells open. FDA
Skip raw and marinated raw mussels
Health NZ says not to eat any raw shellfish, including marinated raw mussels. The FDA asks pregnant women to avoid raw shellfish and their juices. Health NZ
Use live mussels that close when tapped
The NHS says live shellfish close up when their shells are tapped, and that ones with open shells that don't close should be thrown away. It adds that thorough cooking usually kills bacteria and viruses, but shellfish toxins do not break down during cooking. NHS
About mussels
in pregnancy.
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Download app nowDoola shows what official guidance says; it never diagnoses. No known issues means none of these countries' pregnancy guidance names it, not a promise that a food is safe.