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Sushi during pregnancy: what do the official guidelines say?
Pregnancy & nutrition
During pregnancy, sushi is one of those foods that raises a lot of questions. Between cravings for something fresh, meals out, and the sheer variety of recipes, it is not always easy to know what to think. Here is a clear, simple and cautious overview of what the official French guidelines say about sushi during pregnancy, and how to think through the question based on the ingredients involved.
Quick answer: the official French guidelines advise pregnant women to avoid raw fish, including in sushi, as well as raw shellfish and certain ready-to-eat cooked shellfish. When it comes to fish during pregnancy, the recommended approach is always thoroughly cooked fish.
Contents
Can you eat sushi during pregnancy?
According to the official French guidelines consulted, it is best to avoid sushi containing raw fish during pregnancy. The public health website Santé.fr explicitly lists raw fish (sushi, sashimi, tarama) among the foods that pregnant women are advised not to eat, and reminds them of the importance of choosing thoroughly cooked fish.
The key point to bear in mind is this: when discussing sushi during pregnancy, the main concern is essentially the presence of raw fish, raw seafood, or ready-to-eat products that require extra caution during pregnancy.
Why is raw-fish sushi not recommended during pregnancy?
A food-borne infection risk recognised by the authorities
The official guidelines remind us that during pregnancy it is important to protect against certain food-borne infections. It is within this context that raw fish, including sushi, is listed among the foods to avoid.
Listeriosis is one of the reasons for caution
Santé.fr and the Anses both note that certain categories of food may carry a risk of contamination by Listeria monocytogenes. Pregnant women are among those for whom extra precautions are recommended.
Raw fish can also raise other concerns
The Santé.fr website also notes that raw fish can sometimes harbour parasites. Here again, the reference given by official sources is to eat fish thoroughly cooked.
Key points in 30 seconds
- Raw-fish sushi should be avoided during pregnancy according to the official guidelines consulted.
- The concern mainly relates to raw ingredients and certain ready-to-eat seafood products.
- When it comes to fish during pregnancy, the recommended approach is always thoroughly cooked preparation.
- If in any personal doubt, the best reflex is to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Do all sushi raise the same concern during pregnancy?
No, not all sushi raise exactly the same concern. What is explicitly targeted by the official guidelines is primarily raw fish, along with other raw seafood or certain ready-to-eat shellfish products. In practice, a sushi made with raw salmon, a sashimi, or a preparation based on raw fish is therefore not in the same category as a preparation made with cooked ingredients.
That said, during pregnancy it is generally simpler to reason from a clear principle: when a dish contains fish or seafood, the version most consistent with the official guidelines is one where the ingredients are thoroughly cooked.
If you enjoy Japanese cuisine during pregnancy, the idea is not necessarily to rule out all Japanese-inspired dishes, but to pay attention to their ingredients, method of preparation and freshness.
What about California rolls, maki, sashimi or vegetarian sushi?
Behind the word "sushi" there are in fact several types of preparation. A sashimi is directly concerned when it involves raw fish. A maki or a California roll may, depending on the recipe, contain raw fish, cooked fish, vegetables or other ingredients. It is therefore less the commercial name of the piece that matters than what it actually contains.
To stay on the safe side during pregnancy, it is useful to check whether the filling contains raw fish, raw seafood or any seafood product requiring particular care. If in doubt, it is best to opt for hot preparations or those made with thoroughly cooked ingredients.
Also on the blog
If you have questions about other seafood during pregnancy, you can also read our article Smoked salmon during pregnancy: what do the official guidelines say?, which covers the specific case of smoked fish.
You can also read Tuna rillettes during pregnancy, to explore another closely related topic in the same editorial area.
If you have eaten sushi while pregnant
If this has happened to you, there is no need to panic. Official sources note that listeriosis remains a rare disease, but one that does justify particular vigilance in pregnant women.
The Anses indicates in particular that the initial symptoms may resemble a stomach upset, sometimes accompanied by fever or aches and pains. As with any dietary question during pregnancy, the most important thing is to pay attention to your general wellbeing and to seek medical advice if you have any doubts or develop symptoms.
If you have a question related to your personal situation, the safest course of action is to contact your GP, midwife or maternity unit.
Practical tip
If you fancy Japanese food during pregnancy
When you are unsure about a sushi, a maki or another cold preparation, the simplest approach is often to go for an option made with thoroughly cooked ingredients prepared under good hygiene conditions. This is generally the approach most consistent with official guidelines during pregnancy.
FAQ – Sushi during pregnancy
Can you eat sushi while pregnant?
The official guidelines consulted advise avoiding sushi containing raw fish during pregnancy. When it comes to fish, the recommended approach is always thoroughly cooked preparation.
Does the same apply to sashimi?
Yes, because it involves raw fish. The Santé.fr website explicitly lists raw fish, including sushi and sashimi, among the products to avoid during pregnancy.
Do all maki or California rolls pose the same problem?
Not necessarily, as it all depends on the ingredients used. The right reflex is to check whether the preparation contains raw fish, raw seafood or other ingredients requiring particular care during pregnancy.
Is fish still recommended during pregnancy?
Yes. Official dietary guidelines recommend eating fish twice a week, varying the species and ensuring it is thoroughly cooked.
What should I do if I am worried after eating sushi?
If you have any concerns, symptoms or a particular situation, it is best to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
In summary
During pregnancy, the official French guidelines advise avoiding raw-fish sushi and opting for preparations made with thoroughly cooked ingredients. The concern therefore relates primarily to the actual composition of the dish and the method of preparation.
To read further, you can also consult our articles on smoked salmon during pregnancy and tuna rillettes during pregnancy.
Sources
The information in this article is provided for informational purposes and draws on general recommendations from French public sources. It does not replace personalised medical advice.