Is Mayonnaise Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, store bought mayonnaise is safe during pregnancy. Commercial mayonnaise is made with pasteurized eggs, eliminating the Salmonella risk associated with raw eggs. Over 90% of mayonnaise products receive an A or B+ safety grade.
The main concern with mayonnaise during pregnancy is raw eggs, which can carry Salmonella bacteria. However, commercially produced mayonnaise sold in jars at grocery stores uses pasteurized eggs, making it safe to eat. The real risk comes from homemade mayonnaise or restaurant made versions that may use unpasteurized raw eggs.
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 like Hellmann's, Best Foods, or Kraft
- • Labels indicating 'pasteurized eggs' or commercially produced in the US or UK
- • Shelf stable jars from the condiment aisle (these are always pasteurized)
- • Refrigerate after opening and use within 2 months for best quality
- • No limit on consumption when using pasteurized commercial mayo
✗ What to Avoid
- • Homemade mayonnaise made with raw, unpasteurized eggs
- • Restaurant or deli mayo unless you can confirm it's commercially made
- • Fresh mayo from farmers markets or specialty stores without pasteurization labels
- • Mayonnaise based salads (potato salad, egg salad) left unrefrigerated for over 2 hours
- • Products containing high fructose corn syrup if managing gestational diabetes risk
Most Common Ingredients in Mayonnaise Products
We analyzed 687 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 687 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 24 of 687 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 11 of 687 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 10 of 687 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 6 of 687 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 5 of 687 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 3 of 687 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 2 of 687 products (0%)
organic fenugreek
AVOID
Organic fenugreek is a legume seed used as a spice and for lactation support. Has been associated with neural tube defects and may stimulate uterine contractions.
Found in 2 of 687 products (0%)
Mayonnaise Products We've Analyzed
We graded 687 mayonnaise products for pregnancy safety. 515 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Mayonnaise Products
We found 515 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Real Mayonnaise | Best Foods |
| A | Hellmann'S, Real Mayonnaise | — |
| A | 100% Avocado Oil Based Traditional Mayo | — |
| A | Hellmann'S Real Mayonnaise 750Ml | Hellmann'S |
| A | Lime Juice Mayonesa (Mayonnaise), Lime Juice | Mccormick |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat mayonnaise?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat store bought mayonnaise. Commercial mayonnaise brands like Hellmann's, Best Foods, and Kraft use pasteurized eggs in their products, which eliminates the risk of Salmonella contamination. The pasteurization process heats the eggs to a temperature that kills harmful bacteria while maintaining the creamy texture. Always check that your mayo is commercially produced and stored properly after opening.
What are the risks of mayonnaise during pregnancy?
The primary risk associated with mayonnaise during pregnancy is Salmonella infection from raw, unpasteurized eggs. Salmonella can cause severe food poisoning with symptoms like fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and complications during pregnancy. However, this risk only applies to homemade or artisanal mayonnaise made with raw eggs. Store bought mayonnaise uses pasteurized eggs and poses no Salmonella risk.
Is it safe to eat mayo while pregnant?
Yes, it is safe to eat mayo while pregnant as long as it's commercially produced. Store bought mayonnaise from grocery stores is made with pasteurized eggs and acidic ingredients like vinegar or lemon juice that further inhibit bacterial growth. The FDA requires commercial mayonnaise to meet strict safety standards. Just avoid homemade versions or restaurant mayo where you can't verify the egg source.
Why are raw eggs a concern during pregnancy?
Raw eggs can harbor Salmonella bacteria, which poses a heightened risk during pregnancy due to changes in the immune system. A Salmonella infection during pregnancy can cause severe dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea, and in rare cases may lead to complications like preterm labor. This is why pregnant women are advised to avoid foods containing raw or undercooked eggs, though pasteurized egg products are completely safe.
Is homemade mayonnaise safe during pregnancy?
Traditional homemade mayonnaise made with raw eggs is not recommended during pregnancy due to Salmonella risk. However, you can safely make homemade mayo using pasteurized eggs (sold in cartons or specially marked shell eggs) or by using a recipe that heats the egg mixture to 160°F. Alternatively, egg free mayonnaise recipes using aquafaba or silken tofu are completely safe options for homemade versions.
Can I eat restaurant mayonnaise while pregnant?
Exercise caution with restaurant mayonnaise. Most chain restaurants use commercial mayonnaise, which is safe. However, upscale restaurants, cafes, or establishments that pride themselves on house made condiments may prepare fresh mayonnaise with raw eggs. When dining out, ask your server whether the mayo is commercially made or house made. If they're unsure, it's best to skip it or request a sealed packet of commercial mayo 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.
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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/
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- 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
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