Can you eat eggs while pregnant?
Check firstEggs are safe when the yolks and whites are cooked firm, or when a dish uses pasteurized eggs. In the US, skip runny or raw eggs unless they are pasteurized.
Why
Undercooked eggs can carry Salmonella, which hits harder during pregnancy. US guidance (FDA, ACOG) says cook eggs until firm and use pasteurized eggs for anything raw or runny. In the UK, the NHS allows runny British Lion eggs, a scheme that does not exist in the US, which is why the American rule is stricter. Pasteurized shell eggs are sold in many US stores and make runny yolks safe again.
Safer alternatives
- Hard scrambled eggs or a fully set omelet
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Runny-style dishes made with pasteurized shell eggs
Sources
- FDA (foodsafety.gov) https://www.foodsafety.gov/people-at-risk/pregnant-women
- NHS https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
Every verdict follows our sourcing methodology: official health guidelines only, most cautious position when they differ.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat eggs benedict while pregnant?
Classic hollandaise uses raw yolks and the eggs are poached soft, so only if the kitchen uses pasteurized eggs. At home, pasteurized shell eggs make both the sauce and a runny poach safe.
Is raw cookie dough or cake batter off the menu?
Yes, both for raw egg and raw flour. Bake it, or pick an edible cookie dough made with pasteurized eggs and heat-treated flour.
Why does UK advice allow runny eggs?
British Lion eggs come from vaccinated flocks with very low Salmonella risk, so the NHS allows them runny. The US has no equivalent program, so the safe route is firm yolks or pasteurized eggs.
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