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Is it safe? · Pregnancy Smart

Are runny eggs safe during pregnancy?

Assigned clinical reviewerMichael Yuzefovich· MD, FACOGDraft · pending clinical reviewUpdated

What does the evidence say about runny eggs during pregnancy?

  1. Pregnant people are advised to skip foods that may contain raw or lightly cooked eggs, like homemade caesar dressing, hollandaise, raw cookie dough, and homemade eggnog. 1
  2. Cook eggs until both the yolk and white are firm, and use pasteurized shell eggs or liquid egg products for any recipe that calls for raw eggs. 2
  3. Pregnant people aren't necessarily more likely to catch Salmonella, but they can get hit harder by it, with complications like dehydration, sepsis, or preterm labor. 3
  4. Restaurant food-safety rules require eggs to reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for 15 seconds, or 155°F for pooled eggs used in commercial cooking. 4

Is runny eggs safe in each trimester?

  • First trimester. This is a higher-risk window: early illness with fever and dehydration can affect a developing pregnancy. Cook eggs until both the yolk and white are firm.
  • Second trimester. Same guidance applies. Watch for restaurant sauces made with raw egg, like hollandaise, homemade caesar dressing, aioli, tiramisu, or homemade eggnog.
  • Third trimester. Same guidance applies. A Salmonella infection late in pregnancy can trigger preterm labor.

Frequently asked questions

What if the eggs are pasteurized in the shell?

Pasteurized-in-shell eggs, a specific product usually labeled with a P inside a circle, have been heated enough to eliminate Salmonella and are considered fine for runny or raw preparations during pregnancy.

Are over-easy or sunny-side up eggs okay if the whites are set?

The standard pregnancy guidance is firm yolks and firm whites. If the yolk is still runny, choose another preparation or use pasteurized-in-shell eggs.

Is store-bought mayo or bottled dressing safe?

Commercial mayonnaise and bottled dressings in the U.S. are made with pasteurized egg products and are considered acceptable. Homemade or made-in-restaurant versions may not be.

I ate a runny egg by mistake. What now?

The odds of any single exposure causing illness are low. Watch for GI symptoms, fever, headache, or muscle aches over the next few days, and call your obstetric provider if any develop.

Related in the library

References

  1. Dairy and Eggs: Food Safety for Moms-to-Be, FDA

    FDA · https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/dairy-and-eggs-food-safety-moms-be

  2. What You Need to Know About Egg Safety: FDA

    FDA · https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-egg-safety

  3. Salmonella and Pregnancy: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet

    MotherToBaby · https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/salmonella-pregnancy/

  4. Egg Preparation: Restaurant Food Safety, CDC

    CDC · https://www.cdc.gov/restaurant-food-safety/php/practices/egg-preparation.html

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.