Crustaceans including crabs and lobsters show behavioral and physiological responses to noxious stimuli suggesting they may experience pain during cooking practices.
Growing scientific evidence suggests crabs and lobsters may experience pain when boiled alive. Countries and jurisdictions are beginning to recognize crustacean sentience in welfare legislation. Commercially available electrical stunners can render crustaceans unconscious rapidly before cooking. Applying precautionary welfare principles means avoiding cooking crustaceans in ways that cause potentially preventable suffering.