Pregnancy food checker · United States

Can I eat tuna while pregnant?

Tuna questions are mostly about mercury level, serving frequency and the type of tuna.

Short answer

Some tuna can fit into pregnancy diets in limited amounts, but high-mercury tuna should be limited or avoided.

Safety note Limit by tuna type

What matters for tuna

  • Mercury varies by tuna species.
  • Albacore usually has more mercury than light tuna.
  • Raw tuna adds separate food safety risk.

Guidance sources: FDA [1], ACOG [2]

What to check first

  • Is it light tuna, albacore or bigeye?
  • How much tuna have you eaten this week?
  • Is it cooked or raw?

Guidance sources: FDA [1], ACOG [2]

Safer next steps

  • Choose lower-mercury seafood.
  • Keep portions moderate.
  • Avoid raw tuna sushi or poke.

Guidance sources: FDA [1], ACOG [2]

What Can I Eat can and cannot confirm

Can I Eat can use the food name, visible label text and details you provide to highlight relevant questions. A photo cannot confirm internal cooking temperature, storage time, hidden ingredients, pasteurization that is not shown, or restaurant handling. Check the complete label and ask the person who prepared the food when those details matter.

When to contact a clinician

Contact your prenatal clinician if you ate a food discussed here and feel unwell, have been told you have a higher-risk pregnancy, or need advice for your individual circumstances. Seek urgent medical care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.

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Sources and editorial context

Can I Eat editors source-check these pages against public guidance from U.S. health authorities, keep conditional answers conditional, and identify details that still need to be checked for a specific food. This editorial process is not an individual clinician review or endorsement, and the content is general information rather than individualized medical advice.

Published by Can I Eat for readers in United States. Sources last checked 2026-08-15.

Can I Eat provides general food safety information and dietary risk reminders only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or a replacement for your clinician.