Crab
Also listed as Crab Meat, Imitation Crab, and Blue Crab.
Seafood
This is what the ingredient is.
Crab is a crustacean sold as legs, lump meat, or imitation sticks. Labels may say crab meat or imitation crab.
Here is why it shows up on the label.
It is used in cakes, salads, sushi, and seafood boils.
Here is what food agencies say.
FDA seafood HACCP rules apply. Crustacean shellfish is a major allergen that must be declared.
Here is what research has found.
Vibrio, Listeria, and allergen mislabeling have driven crab and imitation-crab recalls.
Here are a few things worth knowing.
Crab is a major allergen. Imitation crab often contains fish and egg—read labels.
Sources
- FDA Food Labeling
- USDA FSIS
- FDA Recalls
How to read this page
We publish plain facts about this ingredient so a label is easier to read. This is not medical advice, and it is not a recommendation to buy, avoid, or use anything. For a personal health question, talk with a clinician who knows your history.
v1.0Updated 9/16/2026