Can You Eat Shark While Pregnant?
Skip Shark during pregnancy; see the reasons and safer swaps below.
Trimester Safety
Why Shark is unsafe
Shark is among the fish highest in mercury. FDA and EPA advise pregnant women to avoid shark and similar high-mercury species. Choose lower-mercury fish from the Best Choices list instead.
What to Choose Instead
Instead of Shark, choose a pregnancy-safe alternative. When in doubt, follow FDA, NHS and ACOG guidance and check with your OB-GYN or midwife.
💛 Already eaten some Shark? Please don’t panic.
Try to breathe. An accidental one-off is rarely a cause for serious concern, and the worry itself is harder on you than it needs to be. Simply avoid Shark from here on, and speak to your midwife or GP if you feel unwell or anxious. You’re looking after your baby just by checking.
Stop second-guessing every meal, get the free cheat sheet ↓What to know about Shark in pregnancy
Here’s the practical picture for Shark. Seafood safety in pregnancy comes down to two things: mercury and thorough cooking. High-mercury fish can affect a baby’s developing nervous system, while raw or undercooked seafood can carry listeria and parasites.
Safe preparation & tips
- Cook seafood to an internal 63°C / 145°F until opaque and firm
- Choose low-mercury options and keep total seafood to 8–12 oz (2–3 servings) per week
- Avoid raw preparations, sushi, sashimi, ceviche, raw bar
- Reheat leftover cooked seafood until steaming hot
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat Shark while pregnant?
No. This page lists Shark as avoid during pregnancy. See the guidance above and consult your healthcare provider.
Is Shark safe during pregnancy?
This page lists Shark as avoid based on pregnancy food-safety guidance. Follow the details above and consult your healthcare provider.
Can pregnant women eat Shark?
Pregnant women are advised to avoid Shark. Check this page for safer alternatives.
Is Shark safe in the first trimester?
This page lists Shark as avoid across pregnancy, including the first trimester. See the Trimester Safety section above and ask your healthcare provider with questions.
Is Shark safe in the third trimester?
This page lists Shark as avoid across pregnancy, including the third trimester. See the Trimester Safety section above and ask your healthcare provider with questions.
Checked against FDA, CDC and ACOG guidance.
Sources: FDA
Last Updated: 2026-02-16
How we review: Written by the PregnancySafeFoods editorial team and checked against NHS, CDC, ACOG and FDA guidance. Our editorial policy.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about your specific dietary needs during pregnancy.
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