Is Sour Cream Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 25, 2026
The Answer
Yes, sour cream is safe during pregnancy when pasteurized. The vast majority of commercial sour cream in the US is made from pasteurized milk, making it a safe choice for pregnant women.
Sour cream falls under the dairy category, where the main concern is avoiding raw (unpasteurized) products that could harbor Listeria bacteria. Since nearly all store bought sour cream is pasteurized, it poses minimal risk. Our database shows 94% of sour cream products receive an A or B+ grade for pregnancy safety.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Pasteurized sour cream from major grocery brands like Daisy, Breakstone's, or Fage
- • Check the label confirms 'pasteurized' milk or cream as an ingredient
- • Simple ingredient lists with just cultured cream and enzymes
- • Proper refrigeration at 40°F or below
- • Use within the expiration date and within 2 weeks of opening
- • No limit on consumption when pasteurized - enjoy as part of a balanced diet
✗ What to Avoid
- • Unpasteurized or raw milk sour cream (rare but found at some farmers markets)
- • Homemade sour cream unless you're certain the cream was pasteurized
- • Sour cream left at room temperature for more than 2 hours
- • Products past their expiration date or with off smells/textures
- • Horseradish flavored sour cream - horseradish is flagged as an ingredient to avoid during pregnancy
- • Products with artificial colors like Red 40 if you prefer to minimize additives
Most Common Ingredients in Sour Cream Products
We analyzed 948 sour cream products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Sour Cream
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 948 sour cream products we analyzed.
artificial color
CAUTION
Artificial color is synthetic dyes added to foods and beverages. May affect neurobehavioral development in offspring based on animal studies.
Found in 43 of 948 products (5%)
red 40
CAUTION
Red 40 is a synthetic red food coloring. May affect neurobehavioral development based on animal studies at high doses.
Found in 4 of 948 products (0%)
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 3 of 948 products (0%)
grated horseradish roots
AVOID
Grated horseradish roots is a pungent root vegetable used as a condiment. Contains compounds that may cause digestive irritation and has shown developmental toxicity in animals.
Found in 2 of 948 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 2 of 948 products (0%)
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 2 of 948 products (0%)
sodium metabisulfite and sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Sodium metabisulfite and sodium benzoate is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 2 of 948 products (0%)
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 1 of 948 products (0%)
Sour Cream Products We've Analyzed
We graded 948 sour cream products for pregnancy safety. 461 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Sour Cream Products
We found 461 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Sour Cream | Daisy |
| A | 4% Milkfat Classic | Good Culture |
| A | Light Sour Cream | Daisy |
| A | All Natural Sour Cream | Breakstone'S |
| A | All Natural Sour Cream | Fage |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat sour cream?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat sour cream as long as it's pasteurized, which includes virtually all commercial brands sold in US grocery stores. Pasteurization kills harmful bacteria like Listeria that could pose risks during pregnancy. Look for brands like Daisy, Breakstone's, Fage, or store brands - all use pasteurized cream. There's no need to limit your intake of pasteurized sour cream during pregnancy.
What are the risks of sour cream during pregnancy?
The primary risk with any dairy product during pregnancy is Listeria contamination from unpasteurized products. However, this risk is essentially eliminated with pasteurized sour cream. Other minor considerations include the saturated fat content if consumed in large quantities, and some products contain additives like artificial colors or preservatives. Choosing simple, pasteurized sour cream from reputable brands minimizes any concerns.
Is sour cream safe when pregnant?
Yes, pasteurized sour cream is perfectly safe during pregnancy. The pasteurization process eliminates harmful bacteria that could affect you or your baby. Nearly all sour cream sold in US supermarkets is pasteurized - just check the label to confirm. Store it properly in the refrigerator and use within the recommended timeframe. Sour cream also provides calcium and protein, making it a nutritious addition to your pregnancy diet.
What brands of sour cream are safe during pregnancy?
Most major sour cream brands are safe during pregnancy because they use pasteurized cream. Top rated options include Daisy (which uses only cultured cream), Breakstone's All Natural, Fage, Good Culture, and Organic Valley. Store brands from Kroger, Great Value, and other major retailers are also safe choices. The key is confirming the product is pasteurized, which is standard for commercially produced sour cream in the United States.
Can I eat sour cream dips and dressings while pregnant?
Sour cream based dips and dressings are generally safe during pregnancy if made with pasteurized sour cream. However, check the ingredient list for any flagged additives. Some flavored varieties contain horseradish (which should be avoided), artificial colors, or preservatives like sodium benzoate. Plain sour cream mixed with herbs and spices at home is the safest option. If buying pre made dips, choose products with simple, recognizable ingredients.
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.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk/index.html
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-022-00418-9
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31679476/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2613118/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24257113/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11294979/
- https://academic.oup.com/toxsci/article/61/1/92/1615305
- https://mothertobaby.org/baby blog/stay informed understanding the impact of the red dye no-3-ban on pregnancy and breastfeeding/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749119305111
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8296313/
- https://www.whattoexpect.com/first year/baby feeding/red food dye
- https://mothertobaby.org/fact sheets/hair treatments pregnancy/pdf/
- https://cancer.ucsf.edu/news/2022/08/30/study reveals pregnant women are exposed to cancer causing chemicals in dishware hair coloring plastics and pesticides
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582739/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9368057/
- https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/groups/Royal_Hospital_for_Women/Mothersafe/documents/CosmeticsinPregnancyandBreastfeeding.pdf
- https://www.brown.edu/news/2024-11-11/personal care pfas
- https://www.cspi.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/resource/food dyes rainbow of risks.pdf
- https://oehha.ca.gov/sites/default/files/media/downloads/risk assessment/report/healthefftsassess041621.pdf
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9052604/
