Mayonnaise During Pregnancy: Store-Bought, Homemade, and Aioli
FDA says store-bought mayonnaise uses pasteurized eggs. When homemade mayo, aioli, and premade deli salads are riskier in pregnancy, and what to ask.
The short answer: Store-bought mayonnaise is fine during pregnancy. The FDA says commercial mayonnaise, dressings, and sauces contain pasteurized eggs that are safe to eat. The ones to avoid are homemade or fresh-made mayonnaise, aioli, and similar sauces made with raw eggs.
Is store-bought mayonnaise safe during pregnancy?
Yes. The FDA's statement covers commercial mayonnaise as a category, so a jar from the grocery store fits it whatever the brand. The CDC chart likewise names pasteurized eggs as the safer choice in foods that will not be cooked, such as salad dressing. Keep opened jars refrigerated as the label directs.
Why is homemade mayonnaise different?
The FDA lists homemade mayonnaise, aioli, Caesar dressing, hollandaise, and béarnaise among homemade or fresh-made sauces that can contain raw eggs, and advises avoiding them during pregnancy. The CDC lists raw or undercooked eggs, and foods made with them, as a riskier choice. If you make mayo at home, the CDC names pasteurized eggs as the safer choice for foods that will not be cooked. Our eggs guide explains how pasteurized eggs work.
Is aioli safe during pregnancy?
Commercial bottled aioli or garlic mayo is fine. The FDA says commercial mayonnaise, dressings, and sauces contain pasteurized eggs. Homemade or fresh-made aioli made with raw eggs is the problem: FDA lists aioli among homemade sauces to avoid, and CDC lists raw or undercooked eggs and foods made with them as riskier.
Is restaurant mayo or aioli OK while pregnant?
Ask whether the mayonnaise or aioli is made in-house and, if so, whether it uses pasteurized eggs. Packaged mayo fits FDA's commercial statement. A house-made garlic aioli or a fresh Caesar dressing may not, so ask for a different sauce or leave it off if the staff are not sure.
Are tuna salad, chicken salad, and potato salad OK?
This is a separate question from the mayonnaise itself. The CDC lists premade deli salads, such as coleslaw and potato, tuna, chicken, or egg salad, as riskier choices during pregnancy, and homemade deli salads as the safer choice. Making tuna or egg salad at home with store-bought mayonnaise fits the safer column. Our deli meat guide covers sandwich counters.
What happens if I ate homemade mayo while pregnant?
Tell your prenatal care team if you are worried. The CDC's symptom guide lists Salmonella, which is linked to raw eggs, as starting 6 hours to 6 days after eating, and says to see a doctor if you are pregnant and have a fever with other flu-like symptoms.
Common questions
Does mayonnaise have any nutrients that matter in pregnancy?
Not many per spoonful. PregNut's historical USDA-based data lists regular mayonnaise at 680 calories and 34.2 mg choline per 100 g, so it is mainly a source of fat and calories.
Is ranch, honey mustard, or Thousand Island from a bottle OK?
Yes. Bottled dressings fall under FDA's statement about commercial dressings made with pasteurized eggs. Fresh-made Caesar dressing at a restaurant is the one to ask about. Our ranch dressing guide covers restaurant and homemade ranch; see also honey mustard and Thousand Island food pages.
Related: hollandaise, Caesar dressing, and other raw egg foods.
Sources: FDA dairy and eggs for moms-to-be, CDC safer food choices for pregnant women, and CDC food-poisoning symptoms. This guide is educational and does not replace prenatal care.