Men over 15 and women over 50 face fewer health risks from some chemicals. For that reason, they can eat up to six crabs a week from the Hudson River and New York City waters. Crabs from the Long Island Sound, Jamaica Bay and the ocean are less contaminated and are a better choice for everyone.

Health advisories for 2026 from the New York State Department of Health (DOH) remain very strict regarding the consumption of crabs from the Hudson River due to high levels of PCBs and cadmium. The DOH specifically warns that the "Sensitive Population"—which includes children under 15 and women under age 50 (those who could become pregnant)—should not eat any crabs or fish caught between the South Glens Falls Dam and The Battery in New York City. For the "General Population" (men over 15 and women over 50), the advice is less restrictive but still cautious; they are generally advised to limit consumption to no more than one meal per week or month, depending on the specific section of the river. A critical safety rule for everyone is to never eat the "mustard" (tomalley/liver) of the crab, as this is where the highest concentration of toxic chemicals is stored. Even if the crabs look healthy and the water appears clean, the legacy of industrial pollution in the riverbed means these contaminants persist in the shellfish, making them a high-risk food source for many people.