Crab Sticks (Imitation Crab)
Crab sticks (imitation crab, also called surimi) are safe during pregnancy — they are made from cooked, pasteurised fish paste, not raw crab, so they don't carry the same considerations as real shellfish.
Crab sticks — the pink-and-white sticks often used in sushi rolls, salads, and prawn cocktail-style dishes — are made from surimi, a paste of white fish (typically pollock or similar) that has been cooked, processed, and pasteurised during manufacturing, then flavoured and shaped to resemble crab meat. Because they are fully cooked and pasteurised as part of production, they are safe to eat during pregnancy straight from the packet, without needing further cooking, and are treated more like a cooked, ready-to-eat product than raw shellfish. This is different from real crab meat, which needs to be fully cooked and, if from a delicatessen counter or removed from a whole cooked crab, treated with the same freshness care as any ready-to-eat seafood. Check the use-by date and store crab sticks properly refrigerated once opened, using them within the timeframe stated on the packet. Crab sticks are lower in the beneficial omega-3 content of oily fish, since they are primarily a processed white fish product, but they are a safe, convenient option for sushi, salads, or a quick snack.
What to be aware of
- Crab sticks are cooked and pasteurised during manufacturing, so they are safe straight from the packet.
- Check use-by dates and refrigerate promptly once opened.
- Different from real crab meat, which should be freshly cooked or properly stored if ready-to-eat.
NHS guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/