Can you eat mayonnaise when pregnant?
Charlotte Thomas
Social EditorFind out if it's safe to eat mayonnaise during pregnancy, plus precautions to take to keep you and your baby healthy.
We've dug into the official advice from the NHS, our resident midwife and other experts to let you know when you can and can't eat mayonnaise if you're pregnant...
The official advice on eating mayonnaise in pregnancy
Mayonnaise bought from supermarkets in the UK is safe to eat in pregnancy, as it's made with pasteurised eggs. If you're making mayo yourself or having it at a restaurant or deli, check that it's made with British Lion stamped eggs. Mayo made with raw, unpasteurised eggs without the British Lion stamp is not safe to eat.
Here's more detail about the different types of mayonnaise, and how to keep safe:
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Shop-bought mayonnaise
Most shop-bought mayonnaise, including supermarket-own brands and brands such as Hellmann's, is made using pasteurised egg, meaning it's safe to eat during pregnancy. Pasteurisation is a heat treatment process that kills off any bacteria that could cause food poisoning.
Homemade mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is usually made by combining oil and raw egg. The NHS says raw eggs are not safe to eat in pregnancy unless they are British Lion stamped eggs, which are sold in shops in the UK.
This is because of the risk of salmonella food poisoning. While salmonella is unlikely to harm your unborn baby, it can make you very unwell.
'If you’re eating fresh mayo (either at home or in a restaurant) it’s worth checking the kind of eggs it has been made with,' says Netmums' resident midwife Sarah Owen. 'If it's been made with British Lion hen eggs (the ones with the red stamp), or eggs from the Laid in Britain scheme, the mayonnaise will be safe to eat as the hens that lay those eggs have been vaccinated against salmonella.'
She continues: 'It's also worth remembering that duck, goose or quail eggs can also contain salmonella and are best avoided if raw or partially-cooked.'
If you're eating homemade mayo at a restaurant or friend's house, always check it is made using British Lion stamped eggs. These eggs are safe to eat raw in recipes like mayonnaise and mousse, as the risk of food poisoning is extremely low.
If your mayonnaise was not made with British Lion or Laid in Britain eggs, then it's not safe to eat when pregnant.
What are the risks of eating mayonnaise during pregnancy?
Mayo is usually made with raw eggs, which can sometimes contain salmonella bacteria. This can cause food poisoning. Although unlikely to harm your baby, it can be very unpleasant for you.
Avoiding contaminated food is especially important during your pregnancy, Owen tells us, because you are especially susceptible to food poisoning at this time.
'Your immune system alters when you are pregnant,' she says, 'and so these, generally harmless, illnesses can be more serious for you, and your baby.'
However, it's worth noting that eggs with the British Lion stamp, or those that have been pasteurised or cooked, are very unlikely to have salmonella bacteria, and are therefore safe to eat.
What are the symptoms of salmonella?
If you have food poisoning from mayo made with raw eggs, your symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Being sick
- Diarrhoea
- Cramping stomach
- High temperature
This study notes that in 4% of cases, salmonella may develop into bacteremia, which is where bacteria enters the blood stream. This can lead to sepsis, which may be harmful to your baby. Early diagnosis and treatment of salmonella can prevent this.
If you are concerned about how food poisoning might affect your baby, do not hesitate to call your midwife or GP.
Delicious egg recipes
Love eggs? Why not try one of these great pregnancy-safe recipes? Just be sure to use British Lion eggs, to be on the safe side.
Looking for more pregnancy diet info? Check out our articles below, or swap tips with other mums-to-be in our forum.
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