Is Apple Cider Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 25, 2026
The Answer
Yes, pasteurized apple cider is safe during pregnancy. The vast majority of commercial apple cider products (over 90%) receive an A grade for pregnancy safety, making this a generally safe beverage choice when pasteurized.
The main concern with apple cider during pregnancy is pasteurization status. Unpasteurized or raw apple cider can harbor harmful bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, which pose serious risks to pregnant women and developing babies. Most store bought apple cider is pasteurized and safe, but always verify by checking the label.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Pasteurized apple cider from major grocery store brands like Trader Joe's, Nature's Nectar, or Mayer Bros.
- • Labels that clearly state 'pasteurized' - this is required by FDA for most commercial juice products
- • 100% apple juice or cider products without added preservatives
- • Refrigerated cider from reputable brands with clear pasteurization labeling
- • Moderate consumption of 1-2 glasses per day as part of a balanced diet
- • Shelf stable or juice box varieties, which are always pasteurized
✗ What to Avoid
- • Unpasteurized or raw apple cider, often sold at farmers markets, orchards, or roadside stands
- • Cider labeled 'fresh pressed' without pasteurization confirmation
- • Products containing sodium benzoate preservative, which has shown concerns in animal studies
- • Apple cider with added aspartame or artificial sweeteners
- • Hard cider or alcoholic apple cider - all alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy
- • Homemade apple cider unless you can confirm it was properly heat treated
Most Common Ingredients in Apple Cider Products
We analyzed 340 apple cider products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Apple Cider
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 340 apple cider products we analyzed.
sodium benzoate added to preserve
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate added to preserve is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 6 of 340 products (2%)
sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate is a food preservative in beverages and processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses and may form benzene when combined with vitamin C.
Found in 4 of 340 products (1%)
aspartame
CAUTION
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener commonly found in diet sodas, sugar free foods, and tabletop sweeteners. Has been linked in animal studies to placental dysfunction, reduced birth weight, and oxidative stress, with limited human data suggesting possible developmental concerns.
Found in 3 of 340 products (1%)
sodium benzoate added to preserve freshness
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate added to preserve freshness is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 3 of 340 products (1%)
fructose
CAUTION
Fructose is a simple sugar found naturally in fruits and added to many processed foods and beverages as high fructose corn syrup. May program offspring for metabolic dysfunction when consumed in excess during pregnancy, with animal studies showing effects on insulin resistance, blood pressure, and neurodevelopment.
Found in 2 of 340 products (1%)
seaweed extract
CAUTION
Seaweed extract is an edible marine algae consumed as food or supplement, rich in iodine and minerals. May cause neonatal thyroid dysfunction from excessive iodine exposure and some products contain concerning levels of inorganic arsenic.
Found in 1 of 340 products (0%)
sodium benzoate added to maintain freshness
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate added to maintain freshness is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 1 of 340 products (0%)
Apple Cider Products We've Analyzed
We graded 340 apple cider products for pregnancy safety. 309 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Apple Cider Products
We found 309 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Honey Crisp Apple Cider | Trader Joe'S |
| A | Apple Cider | Nature'S Nectar |
| A | Apple Cider 100% Juice From Concentrate, Apple Cider | — |
| A | Organic Unfiltered Apple Cider | O Organics |
| A | Spiced Apple Cider | Pressed |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women drink apple cider?
Yes, pregnant women can safely drink pasteurized apple cider. Most commercial apple cider sold in grocery stores is pasteurized, which kills harmful bacteria that could affect pregnancy. Always check the label to confirm pasteurization status. Avoid unpasteurized cider from farmers markets or orchards unless it specifically states it has been pasteurized.
What are the risks of apple cider during pregnancy?
The primary risk comes from unpasteurized apple cider, which can contain dangerous bacteria like E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella. These pathogens can cause serious complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage, preterm labor, and infections that can harm the baby. Pasteurized apple cider eliminates these bacterial risks and is considered safe for pregnant women.
Is apple cider vinegar safe during pregnancy?
Pasteurized apple cider vinegar is generally considered safe during pregnancy in small amounts, such as in salad dressings or cooking. However, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar should be avoided due to bacterial contamination risks. Some women use diluted apple cider vinegar to help with morning sickness or heartburn, but consult your healthcare provider before using it as a remedy.
What is the difference between apple cider and apple juice during pregnancy?
Both pasteurized apple cider and apple juice are safe during pregnancy. Apple cider is typically less filtered and may have a cloudier appearance with more apple flavor, while apple juice is clearer and more processed. The key safety factor for both is pasteurization, not the type of product. Check labels on either product to ensure they are pasteurized before consuming.
Can I drink hot apple cider while pregnant?
Yes, hot apple cider is safe during pregnancy as long as the base cider is pasteurized. Heating the cider actually provides an extra layer of safety by killing any potential bacteria. Spiced hot cider made with cinnamon, cloves, and other warming spices is a popular and safe choice for pregnant women during fall and winter months.
How can I tell if apple cider is pasteurized?
Check the product label for the word 'pasteurized' - FDA requires this labeling for juice products. Shelf stable cider sold at room temperature is always pasteurized. Refrigerated cider should have pasteurization clearly stated on the label. If there's no pasteurization information, especially on cider from farmers markets or local orchards, assume it is unpasteurized and avoid it during pregnancy.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains ingredients with established risks during pregnancy. Research shows these can cause birth defects, developmental harm, or serious maternal complications.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
References
- https://motherfigure.com/safe skincare/sodium benzoate/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9003278/
- https://americanaddictioncenters.org/benzodiazepine/can benzodiazepines be used during pregnancy
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11921639/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3830752/
- https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1003945
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3114665/
- https://turkishneurosurgery.org.tr/pdf.php?id=1502
- https://www.thebump.com/a/makeup ingredients avoid during pregnancy
- https://millionmarker.com/pages/pregnancy fertility chemical sodium benzoate
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38150230/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32911041/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0890623820302033
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7309438/
- https://www.fda.gov/consumers/pregnancy exposure registries/list pregnancy exposure registries
- https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/sites/default/files/Benzoic%20acid_Human%20health%20tier%20II%20assessment.pdf
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-68029-y
- https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical guidance/committee opinion/articles/2021/07/reducing prenatal exposure to toxic environmental agents
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- https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/axjhtyzw/sip_37.pdf
