Is canned seafood safe to eat during pregnancy?
Some types yes, others no. Mercury and BPA from can linings are the two main concerns.
What's actually in it
Canned seafood comes with two potential chemical exposures: the contaminants in the fish itself (mainly mercury) and the BPA that leaches from the can lining into the food. Both chemicals cross the placenta and reach the developing baby.
Fish variety matters a lot for mercury. Small fish like sardines, anchovies, and light tuna have low mercury. Large fish like albacore tuna, swordfish, and king mackerel have much more.
What the research says
A 2026 review in Int J Environ Res Public Health assessed dietary contaminant risks from marine and freshwater foods. For pregnant women, researchers identified methylmercury as the primary concern from seafood consumption. The developing brain is specifically vulnerable to methylmercury, especially in the first and second trimesters.
On top of mercury, canned foods come with BPA from the can lining. Both chemicals are present simultaneously when you eat canned seafood.
Sardines and anchovies are the safest canned fish: low mercury and small size. For other food storage, swap canned goods for glass food storage options when available to cut the BPA exposure from metal cans.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Risks Associated with Dietary Exposure to Contaminants from Foods Obtained from Marine and Freshwater Sources | Int J Environ Res Public Health | 2026 |
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