Can I Eat Mayonnaise While Pregnant? Shop vs Homemade 2026
Short answer: Shop-bought yes, homemade with raw egg no. Commercial mayo uses pasteurised egg and is safe.
Choose Pasteurised (Shop-Bought) Mayo
Commercial mayonnaise, salad cream and shop-bought dressings are made with pasteurised egg, so they're safe in pregnancy. Avoid homemade or restaurant mayo, aioli and dressings made with raw, unpasteurised egg.
For a quick colour-coded verdict, see our Mayonnaise food safety page.
Why Shop-Bought Mayo Is Safe
The pregnancy concern with mayonnaise is raw egg, which can carry salmonella. Commercial mayonnaise is made with pasteurised egg, the pasteurising process kills salmonella, so jars and squeezy bottles from the supermarket are safe to eat straight from the container.
When to Be Careful
Homemade mayonnaise, fresh aioli, some restaurant and deli dressings, hollandaise, and traditional Caesar dressing may be made with raw, unpasteurised egg. These are best avoided unless you know pasteurised egg was used. When eating out, ask whether dressings are made in-house with raw egg.
Storage Still Matters
Even safe mayo needs proper storage: keep it refrigerated after opening, don't leave mayo-based salads (like coleslaw or potato salad) out in the warmth for long, and observe use-by dates to avoid general food poisoning.
Safe Mayo Choices
- Shop-bought mayonnaise, pasteurised egg, safe
- Commercial salad cream & dressings, pasteurised
- Mayo-based deli salads, kept properly chilled
Mayo to Avoid
- Homemade mayo with raw egg, salmonella risk
- Fresh aioli & hollandaise, often raw egg
- Traditional Caesar dressing, may contain raw egg
Helpful pregnancy essentials
A few things expecting moms often find useful. Always check with your OB-GYN or midwife first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mayonnaise safe during pregnancy?
Shop-bought mayonnaise is safe because it's made with pasteurised egg. Avoid homemade or restaurant mayo made with raw egg.
Can I eat coleslaw or potato salad while pregnant?
Yes, if made with shop-bought mayo and kept properly chilled. Avoid versions that have been left out warm for a long time.
Is aioli safe during pregnancy?
Only if made with pasteurised egg. Freshly made aioli and hollandaise often use raw egg, so avoid them unless you can confirm otherwise.
Can I eat mayo from a restaurant?
Bottled/commercial mayo is safe. Ask whether any “house-made” mayo or dressing uses raw egg, and skip it if so.
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