Snow crabs

Snow crabs are cold-water marine crabs of the genus Chionoecetes, inhabiting the north Pacific and northeast Atlantic. The most important species commercially is C. opilio, the Atlantic snow crab, and only male crabs have commercial value, with females and undersized males returned to the sea. They reach the market in many presentations: whole crab cooked and sold fresh, cooked leg meat, canned meat, and pastes. As crustaceans they are a major allergen that must be declared on labels, and the cooked meat needs strict temperature control from processing to plate to prevent spoilage and keep quality at the level this premium seafood commands.