Is Mayonnaise Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 25, 2026
The Answer
Yes, most mayonnaise is safe during pregnancy. Commercial brands like Hellmann's, Best Foods, Kraft, and Duke's use pasteurized eggs, eliminating salmonella risk. Only avoid homemade mayo made with raw eggs.
The main concern with mayonnaise during pregnancy is salmonella from raw eggs. However, virtually all store bought mayonnaise in the US uses pasteurized eggs, making it safe to eat. With 979 A grade products out of 1,315 tested, the vast majority of commercial mayonnaise poses no risk to pregnant women.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Store bought mayonnaise from major brands (Hellmann's, Best Foods, Kraft, Duke's, Primal Kitchen)
- • Labels stating 'pasteurized eggs' or 'made with pasteurized eggs'
- • Shelf stable jars from grocery stores (these are always pasteurized)
- • Avocado oil or olive oil varieties for healthier fat options
- • No limit on consumption when using pasteurized commercial mayo
✗ What to Avoid
- • Homemade mayonnaise made with raw, unpasteurized eggs
- • Fresh mayo from farmers markets or specialty stores without pasteurization labels
- • Restaurant aioli or house made mayo unless confirmed pasteurized
- • Flavored varieties containing wasabi or curry (some contain flagged ingredients)
- • Mayo based salads left unrefrigerated for extended periods
Most Common Ingredients in Mayonnaise Products
We analyzed 1,315 mayonnaise products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Mayonnaise
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 1,315 mayonnaise products we analyzed.
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 42 of 1,315 products (3%)
potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 19 of 1,315 products (1%)
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 19 of 1,315 products (1%)
sodium benzoate and calcium disodium edta
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate and calcium disodium edta is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 11 of 1,315 products (1%)
sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate added as preservatives
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate added as preservatives is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 9 of 1,315 products (1%)
sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 7 of 1,315 products (1%)
organic kombu seaweed
CAUTION
Organic kombu seaweed 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 6 of 1,315 products (0%)
organic fennel
CAUTION
Organic fennel is an herb used for digestive support. Contains estragole which has genotoxic concerns and may affect hormone levels.
Found in 4 of 1,315 products (0%)
Mayonnaise Products We've Analyzed
We graded 1,315 mayonnaise products for pregnancy safety. 979 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Mayonnaise Products
We found 979 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Classic Mayo | Chosen Foods |
| A | Mayo Real Mayonnaise Made With Avocado Oil | Primal Kitchen |
| A | Chosen Classic Mayo | Chosen Foods |
| A | Real Mayonnaise | Best Foods |
| A | Real Mayonnaise | Hellmann'S |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat mayonnaise?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat mayonnaise. Commercial mayonnaise sold in grocery stores is made with pasteurized eggs, which eliminates the risk of salmonella. Major brands like Hellmann's, Best Foods, Kraft, and Duke's all use pasteurized eggs in their products. The only mayonnaise to avoid is homemade versions made with raw eggs.
What are the risks of mayonnaise during pregnancy?
The primary risk associated with mayonnaise during pregnancy is salmonella infection from raw eggs, which can cause severe illness and potentially harm the baby. However, this risk only applies to homemade mayo or specialty products made with unpasteurized eggs. Store bought mayonnaise uses pasteurized eggs and poses no salmonella risk. Some flavored varieties may contain preservatives like sodium benzoate, but these are present in small amounts.
Is store bought mayonnaise safe during pregnancy?
Yes, store bought mayonnaise is safe during pregnancy. All major commercial brands in the United States are required to use pasteurized eggs, which kills any harmful bacteria including salmonella. Brands like Hellmann's, Best Foods, Kraft, Duke's, and Primal Kitchen are all pregnancy safe. You can enjoy mayo on sandwiches, in salads, and in recipes without concern.
Is homemade mayonnaise safe during pregnancy?
Traditional homemade mayonnaise is not safe during pregnancy because it typically uses raw, unpasteurized eggs that may contain salmonella. If you want to make mayo at home, use pasteurized eggs (sold in cartons or specially labeled) or pasteurized egg products. Alternatively, you can make egg free mayo using aquafaba (chickpea water) as a safe substitute.
Can I eat restaurant mayo while pregnant?
Most restaurant mayonnaise is safe because the majority use commercial products made with pasteurized eggs. However, some upscale restaurants or specialty establishments make their own aioli or mayo from scratch using raw eggs. When dining out, ask if their mayo or aioli is house made, and if so, whether they use pasteurized eggs. When in doubt, request commercial mayo packets instead.
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://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
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4398903/
- https://www.obgproject.com/2023/01/02/acog releases updated guidance gestational diabetes/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.848983/full
- https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.07.02.600389v1.full text
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12620731/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10469680/
