Is Mushroom Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, mushrooms are safe to eat during pregnancy when properly washed and thoroughly cooked. Most store bought culinary mushrooms like button, cremini, portobello, and shiitake are excellent choices with 466 out of 498 products earning an A grade for pregnancy safety.
Mushrooms are a nutritious addition to your pregnancy diet, providing B vitamins, vitamin D, protein, and antioxidants that support fetal development. The main concern is proper food safety: always wash mushrooms thoroughly under running water and cook them completely to eliminate any potential bacteria or contaminants. Avoid raw mushrooms and any wild or foraged varieties during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Store bought culinary mushrooms from reputable grocery stores (button, cremini, portobello, shiitake)
- • Wash all mushrooms thoroughly under running water before cooking
- • Cook mushrooms completely until tender - sautéing, roasting, or adding to soups and stir fries
- • Canned or jarred mushrooms from major brands are pre cooked and safe
- • No limit on consumption when properly prepared - enjoy as part of a balanced diet
- • Safe throughout all trimesters when following proper food handling
✗ What to Avoid
- • Raw or undercooked mushrooms - always cook thoroughly before eating
- • Wild or foraged mushrooms - risk of misidentification and toxicity
- • Magic (psilocybin) mushrooms - psychoactive substances are unsafe during pregnancy
- • Unwashed mushrooms - rinse under running water to remove dirt and contaminants
- • Mushroom products containing alcohol or wine based sauces
- • Mushrooms from unknown sources or farmers markets without proper handling
Most Common Ingredients in Mushroom Products
We analyzed 498 mushroom products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Mushroom
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 498 mushroom products we analyzed.
oyster mushrooms
CAUTION
Oyster mushrooms is shellfish commonly eaten raw or cooked. May harbor harmful bacteria and parasites when raw that can cause miscarriage.
Found in 3 of 498 products (1%)
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 2 of 498 products (0%)
oyster mushroom
CAUTION
Oyster mushroom is shellfish commonly eaten raw or cooked. May harbor harmful bacteria and parasites when raw that can cause miscarriage.
Found in 2 of 498 products (0%)
oyster mushrooms water and salt
CAUTION
Oyster mushrooms water and salt is shellfish commonly eaten raw or cooked. May harbor harmful bacteria and parasites when raw that can cause miscarriage.
Found in 2 of 498 products (0%)
sage
CAUTION
Sage is a culinary herb used in cooking and teas. Contains thujone which may trigger uterine contractions and increase miscarriage risk.
Found in 2 of 498 products (0%)
white wine
AVOID
White wine is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 2 of 498 products (0%)
alcohol
CAUTION
Alcohol is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 1 of 498 products (0%)
and sodium benzoate
CAUTION
And sodium benzoate is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 1 of 498 products (0%)
Mushroom Products We've Analyzed
We graded 498 mushroom products for pregnancy safety. 466 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Mushroom Products
We found 466 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Happy Harvest Mushrooms Pieces & Stems | Happy Harvest |
| A | Pieces & Stems Mushrooms | Essential Everyday |
| A | Organic White Mushrooms | Trader Joe'S |
| A | Kroger® Mushrooms Pieces & Stems | Kroger |
| A | Shiitake Mushrooms | Trader Joe'S |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat mushrooms?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat mushrooms when they are properly washed and cooked. Store bought culinary varieties like button, cremini, portobello, and shiitake mushrooms are all safe choices. Mushrooms provide valuable nutrients including B vitamins, vitamin D, protein, and antioxidants that benefit both mother and baby. The key is to always cook mushrooms thoroughly and avoid eating them raw during pregnancy.
What are the risks of mushrooms during pregnancy?
The main risks of mushrooms during pregnancy relate to food safety rather than the mushrooms themselves. Raw or undercooked mushrooms may harbor bacteria that could cause foodborne illness. Wild or foraged mushrooms pose a serious risk of misidentification and potential toxicity. Magic mushrooms containing psilocybin are unsafe and should never be consumed during pregnancy. By sticking to store bought varieties and cooking them properly, these risks are easily avoided.
Are mushrooms safe during pregnancy in the first trimester?
Yes, mushrooms are safe to eat during the first trimester and throughout pregnancy when properly prepared. There is no trimester specific restriction on mushroom consumption. The same food safety guidelines apply: wash mushrooms thoroughly, cook them completely, and choose store bought culinary varieties. Mushrooms can be a healthy part of your diet from conception through delivery.
Which types of mushrooms are safe during pregnancy?
Safe mushroom varieties during pregnancy include all common culinary mushrooms sold in grocery stores: white button mushrooms, cremini (baby bella), portobello, shiitake, oyster mushrooms, and enoki. Canned and jarred mushrooms are also safe as they are pre cooked during processing. Medicinal mushroom supplements like reishi or lion's mane should be discussed with your healthcare provider before use during pregnancy.
Do I need to cook mushrooms before eating them while pregnant?
Yes, you should always cook mushrooms before eating them during pregnancy. Cooking eliminates potential bacteria and makes mushrooms easier to digest. Raw mushrooms may contain trace contaminants from soil and are harder for your body to break down. Sautéing, roasting, grilling, or adding mushrooms to soups and stir fries are all safe preparation methods. Even pre sliced mushrooms from the store should be cooked before consumption.
Can I eat mushrooms from a restaurant while pregnant?
Yes, you can eat mushrooms at restaurants during pregnancy as long as they are cooked. Most restaurant dishes featuring mushrooms involve cooking - in pasta, pizza, stir fries, soups, or as sautéed sides. Avoid raw mushroom toppings on salads or any dish where mushrooms appear uncooked. When in doubt, ask your server if the mushrooms are cooked, and request they be prepared thoroughly if needed.
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://www.fda.gov/food/buy store serve safe food/selecting and serving produce safely
- https://www.fda.gov/media/77178/download
- https://bumpboxes.com/blog/nutrition/eating oysters/
- https://www.aptaclub.co.uk/pregnancy/diet and nutrition/your pregnancy diet/can you eat seafood.html
- https://www.acog.org/womens health/faqs/listeria and pregnancy
- https://femia.health/health library/pregnancy/pregnancy health/can you eat oysters while pregnant/
- https://www.poison.org/articles/are raw oysters safe to eat during pregnancy
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2920771/
- https://www.mualobster.com/blogs/news/can you eat oysters while pregnant
- https://www.fisken.fi/en/can you eat oysters during pregnancy/
- https://www.thebump.com/a/listeriosis during pregnancy
- https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/can you eat oysters while pregnant
- 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
