The red and white “crab stick” — often referred to as imitation crab — does indeed come from the sea. In Japanese, crab stick is called “surimi,” which means “ground meat.” It’s the ocean’s version of the hot dog if you need an analogy.
Surimi is made of different kinds of fish, which are ground together into a paste. According to SF Gate, manufacturers add starch, artificial flavors, sodium and sometimes MSG. Because starch is often made from wheat, imitation crab meat is not gluten-free. Right crab meat, on the other hand, is safe for the gluten-averse. In fact, on most nutritional counts, this processed seafood pales in comparison to the real thing.