Is it safe to have Abalone during pregnancy?

Are abalones (sea snails) ok to include in my pizza or steak during pregnancy?

Awabi, sea snail, ear shells, sea ears, muttonfish, muttonshells, ormer, perlemoen, paua, sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs

Although abalones are commonly called sea snails, they are a type of shell fish. Therefore, it is advised that you avoid eating them raw as in sushi, salads or carpaccio and ensure they are thoroughly cooked, grilled or baked before eating.

Abalone is considered a delicacy in certain parts of Latin America (particularly Chile), France, New Zealand, East Asia and Southeast Asia. Availability of commercially farmed abalones has made it more accessible to different parts of the World from being a rare delicacy in China and Japan once(Source:Wikipedia).

Traditionally, live and raw abalones are used in awabi sushi, or served steamed, salted, boiled, chopped, or simmered in soy sauce in countries such as Japan. In Western part of the World, abalone meat can be found on pizza, sautéed with caramelized mango, or in steak form dusted with cracker meal and flour.

All cooked forms of abalone are ok to eat for pregnant women while raw versions are better avoided as they are susceptible to contamination from harmful bacteria, viruses and toxins (NHS).

Discover what other types of seafood is ok to consume during pregnancy here…