Can I Eat Mayonnaise in Pregnancy? Complete Guide
Mayonnaise causes more pregnancy anxiety than it probably deserves, largely because older advice about raw eggs still lingers. The reassuring truth is that most mayonnaise you'll come across in the UK is completely safe to eat in pregnancy. Here's the full picture.
Shop-bought mayonnaise is safe
In the UK, virtually all major commercial mayonnaise brands — including Hellmann's, Heinz, and supermarket own-brand ranges — are made using pasteurised egg. Pasteurisation heats the egg enough to kill harmful bacteria such as salmonella without cooking it, which is exactly what makes shop-bought mayo, along with other pasteurised-egg products like most bottled salad dressings and shop-bought aioli, safe to eat during pregnancy.
- Bottled or jarred mayonnaise from supermarkets: safe
- Mayonnaise used in pre-packaged sandwiches, wraps, and ready meals sold in the UK: safe, as manufacturers are required to use pasteurised egg
- Squeezy or sachet mayonnaise from fast food chains and cafes: almost always safe, as these use commercially produced pasteurised mayo
- If a label or menu doesn't specify, UK food safety standards mean shop-bought and chain-restaurant mayo is overwhelmingly likely to be pasteurised
What to be more cautious about
The situations where caution is genuinely warranted are ones involving raw, unpasteurised egg:
- Homemade mayonnaise made from scratch with raw eggs — traditional recipes whisk raw egg yolk with oil, and unless you know pasteurised eggs were used, it's best avoided
- Restaurant-made mayonnaise or aioli, particularly at smaller independent restaurants, cafes, or market stalls, where you can't always be sure whether raw or pasteurised egg was used — it's fine to simply ask
- Fresh mayonnaise from delis or food markets that isn't a recognised commercial brand
If you're ever unsure when eating out, it's perfectly reasonable to ask whether the mayonnaise is shop-bought or homemade, or to choose a dish without it if you'd rather not ask.
The bigger picture on eggs in pregnancy
This same pasteurisation principle applies to eggs generally in UK pregnancy guidance: eggs carrying the British Lion mark are considered very low risk even served runny or raw, because they come from hens vaccinated against salmonella. Non-Lion-marked eggs, or eggs abroad, should be cooked thoroughly until both the white and yolk are solid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is shop-bought mayonnaise safe to eat during pregnancy?
Yes. Commercial mayonnaise brands sold in UK supermarkets, including Hellmann's and Heinz, are made with pasteurised eggs, which removes the salmonella risk associated with raw egg. This makes shop-bought mayonnaise safe to enjoy throughout pregnancy.
Can I eat homemade mayonnaise when pregnant?
It's best to avoid homemade mayonnaise unless you know for certain it was made with pasteurised eggs, since traditional recipes use raw egg yolk which can carry a small salmonella risk. If you'd like to make your own, look for pasteurised liquid egg or egg products specifically sold for raw use.
What about mayonnaise in restaurants or on sandwiches?
Pre-packaged sandwiches and most chain restaurants in the UK use commercial pasteurised mayonnaise, so these are generally fine. At smaller independent cafes or restaurants where you're unsure, it's completely fine to ask whether the mayonnaise is shop-bought or made fresh with raw egg.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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