salt added to the Old Bay before putting it in the steaming crabs as being a part of the Old Bay Seasoning?? I have never purchased Old Bay that had too much salt in it. I have been buying and using it since I came to MD in 1968. I add a lot of salt to the Old Bay and all the folks I know who steam crabs, including seafood restaurants, do as well
I cannot imagine crabs being steamed without it. I use Old Bay in crab cakes and many other dishes unrelated to seafood and do not find it too salty for that either.