Is Honey Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, honey is safe during pregnancy. Unlike infants, pregnant women can safely digest botulinum spores, and honey poses no established risk to the developing baby when consumed in normal dietary amounts.
Honey is generally considered safe for pregnant women according to the FDA and ACOG guidelines. The botulism concern that applies to infants under 12 months does not affect pregnant women because adult digestive systems can neutralize botulinum spores before they cause harm. Multiple studies also show honey may benefit obstetric wound healing after cesarean sections and episiotomies.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Pure honey from reputable brands (Great Value, Nature Nate's, Kirkland Signature)
- • Both raw and pasteurized honey are safe during pregnancy
- • Moderate consumption of 1-2 tablespoons per day as part of a balanced diet
- • Honey as a natural remedy for pregnancy related sore throats and coughs
- • Manuka honey for additional antibacterial benefits if desired
✗ What to Avoid
- • Honey products containing propolis or bee propolis extract (lacks pregnancy safety data)
- • Honey products with added ginseng (American, Korean, or eleuthero) which may cause embryonic abnormalities
- • Honey products containing licorice root (associated with developmental concerns)
- • Excessive consumption if you have gestational diabetes (honey still raises blood sugar)
- • Honey products with high fructose corn syrup as an additive
Most Common Ingredients in Honey Products
We analyzed 1,687 honey products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Honey
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 1,687 honey products we analyzed.
bee propolis extract
CAUTION
Bee propolis extract is a bee derived resinous substance used in supplements for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Lacks human pregnancy safety data and some formulations have shown toxicity in animal studies.
Found in 4 of 1,687 products (0%)
propolis
CAUTION
Propolis is a bee derived resinous substance used in supplements for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Lacks human pregnancy safety data and some formulations have shown toxicity in animal studies.
Found in 4 of 1,687 products (0%)
high fructose corn syrup
CAUTION
High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch and widely used in processed foods and beverages. Has been associated with placental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and metabolic programming of offspring in animal studies, and with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in epidemiological studies of humans.
Found in 3 of 1,687 products (0%)
american ginseng
CAUTION
American ginseng is an herbal supplement for energy and immunity. May cause embryonic abnormalities based on animal studies and increases bleeding risk.
Found in 2 of 1,687 products (0%)
blue 1
CAUTION
Blue 1 is a synthetic blue food coloring. Has limited human pregnancy data with possible neurobehavioral effects in animal studies.
Found in 2 of 1,687 products (0%)
chlorella
CAUTION
Chlorella is a green algae supplement used for nutrition. Has limited pregnancy safety data though one trial showed no adverse effects.
Found in 2 of 1,687 products (0%)
eleuthero
CAUTION
Eleuthero is an herbal supplement for energy and immunity. May cause embryonic abnormalities based on animal studies and increases bleeding risk.
Found in 2 of 1,687 products (0%)
ginger licorice
CAUTION
Ginger licorice is an herb used in teas and traditional remedies. Is associated with lower IQ and attention problems in children when consumed heavily during pregnancy.
Found in 2 of 1,687 products (0%)
Honey Products We've Analyzed
We graded 1,687 honey products for pregnancy safety. 1,628 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Honey Products
We found 1,628 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Great Value Clover Honey | Great Value |
| A | Nature Nate'S 100% Pure Raw & Unfiltered Honey Bear 12 Oz | Nature Nate'S |
| A | 100% Pure Raw & Unfiltered Honey | — |
| A | Pure Honey, Honey | — |
| A | Southeast Raw & Unfiltered Honey, Southeast | — |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat honey?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat honey. The concern about botulism that applies to infants does not affect pregnant women because adult gastrointestinal systems can handle botulinum spores. Both the FDA and ACOG do not restrict honey consumption during pregnancy. Honey can be enjoyed as a natural sweetener in moderation as part of a healthy pregnancy diet.
What are the risks of honey during pregnancy?
For most pregnant women, honey poses no significant risks when consumed in normal amounts. The main consideration is that honey is still a sugar and can affect blood glucose levels, so women with gestational diabetes should monitor their intake. Some honey products contain additives like ginseng, propolis, or licorice that should be avoided during pregnancy. Pure honey itself has no established fetal risks.
Is raw honey safe during pregnancy?
Yes, raw honey is safe during pregnancy. While raw honey is unpasteurized and may contain botulinum spores, pregnant women's mature digestive systems can neutralize these spores before they cause any harm. The spores cannot cross the placenta to affect the baby. Both raw and pasteurized honey are considered equally safe for pregnant women to consume.
How much honey is safe to eat during pregnancy?
There is no strict limit on honey during pregnancy, but moderation is recommended. Most experts suggest 1-2 tablespoons per day as a reasonable amount. Since honey is high in natural sugars, consuming it in excess can contribute to excessive weight gain or blood sugar spikes. Women with gestational diabetes should consult their healthcare provider about appropriate amounts.
Can you eat honey if you have gestational diabetes?
Women with gestational diabetes should be cautious with honey consumption. While honey is safe from a toxicity standpoint, it still contains natural sugars that raise blood glucose levels. Honey has a glycemic index of around 58, which is lower than table sugar but still significant. Consult your healthcare provider about whether and how much honey fits into your gestational diabetes meal plan.
When can baby have honey?
Babies should not have honey until after their first birthday. Infants under 12 months are at risk for infant botulism because their immature digestive systems cannot neutralize botulinum spores that may be present in honey. This restriction applies only to infants, not to pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. After age one, children can safely enjoy honey.
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://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40783823/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38515382/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38155514/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36889342/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36928524/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35379306/
- https://thrivemarket.com/blog/heres a-convincing reason to avoid high fructose corn syrup during pregnancy
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1203063/full
- https://www.nature.com/articles/srep25091
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955286322000225
- https://www.orlandohealth.com/content hub/why you should not consume high fructose corn syrup if you are pregnant/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7441786/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35123000/
- https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/32/12/2314/25900/Dietary Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522034220
- https://medicine.washu.edu/news/high fructose diet pregnancy may harm placenta restrict fetal growth/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6685737/
- https://www.cdc.gov/maternal infant health/pregnancy diabetes/index.html
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5491864/
- https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1113/JP274066
