Can I drink eggnog while pregnant?
Doola Scan's answer in the United StatesShop-bought eggnog made with pasteurised eggs shows Check in Doola Scan for pregnancy in all six countries; homemade eggnog with raw egg is Avoid in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, and Check in the US, UK and Canada. Health Canada names homemade eggnog among raw-egg foods to avoid unless it's heated to 71°C. Eggnog with rum, brandy or bourbon is Avoid in all six, because each country's advice is no alcohol in pregnancy.
Checked against Doola Scan's pregnancy rules · UpdatedShop-bought eggnog made with pasteurised eggs
CheckIn all six countriesHomemade eggnog with raw egg
Check
Avoid
Eggnog while pregnant: what each country says.
Each country's own pregnancy guidance on eggnog, with a link to it. Doola Scan uses your country's first.
United States
Check- FDAAvoid raw or undercooked eggs and foods containing them; foods made with pasteurized eggs are fine.Source
- FDARaw eggs can carry salmonella.Source
- FoodSafety.gov (HHS)Foods with raw or lightly cooked eggs only with pasteurised eggs.Source
Eggnog with rum, brandy or other alcohol- CDCNo known safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant; all types harmful.Source
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans (USDA/HHS)Pregnant women should completely avoid alcohol.Source
- MyHealthfinder (HHS)Don't drink alcohol; no amount is safe in pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant.Source
- ACOGAny amount of alcohol is at-risk drinking in pregnancy.Source
- CDCNo known safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant.Source
United Kingdom
Check- NHSRaw eggs that are not Lion-stamped may carry salmonella.Source
- NHSRaw-egg foods like mayonnaise and mousse fine if made with British Lion or Laid in Britain hen eggs.Source
Eggnog with rum, brandy or other alcohol- NHSAlcohol passes to the baby and can cause lifelong harm (FASD).Source
- NICEExplain there is no known safe level; the safest approach is to avoid alcohol altogether.Source
- RCOGSafest not to drink at all when pregnant or possibly pregnant.Source
- NHSDo not drink alcohol if pregnant or planning to become pregnant.Source
Canada
Check- CPSAvoid raw egg and egg dishes with runny yolk.Source
- Health CanadaAvoid raw-egg foods (homemade mayonnaise, batter, ice cream) unless made with pasteurized liquid eggs.Source
- CPSAvoid raw egg and egg dishes with runny yolk, such as eggnog.Source
- Health CanadaAvoid foods with raw egg: some dressings, sauces, cookie dough, cake batter, homemade eggnog (unless heated to 71 °C).Source
Eggnog with rum, brandy or other alcohol- CPSNo amount of alcohol is considered safe in pregnancy.Source
- Health CanadaSafest choice is no alcohol when pregnant or planning a pregnancy.Source
- SOGCNo known safe amount: safest not to drink when pregnant or if you might become pregnant.Source
- Health CanadaNo amount or type of alcohol in pregnancy is considered safe.Source
Australia
- Shop-bought eggnog made with pasteurised eggsCheck
- Homemade eggnog with raw eggAvoid
- NSW Food AuthorityDo not eat raw egg in food (home-made mayonnaise, aioli, mousse, batter).Source
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government Dept of Health)No homemade mayonnaise, aioli, mousse or raw cake batter; commercial mayo/custard OK.Source
- FSANZSafer alternatives to raw egg dishes: pasteurised eggs, commercial custard and dressings.Source
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government Dept of Health)Commercially made products with egg (e.g. shop mayonnaise) are fine; not homemade mayonnaise, aioli, mousse or raw cake batter.Source
Eggnog with rum, brandy or other alcohol- Australian Government Department of HealthDo not drink alcohol when pregnant or planning a pregnancy.Source
- Better Health Channel (Victoria)Safest not to drink alcohol at all when pregnant.Source
- FSANZWomen who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not drink alcohol.Source
- NHMRCWomen who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should not drink alcohol.Source
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government Dept of Health)Safest not to drink alcohol when planning, pregnant or breastfeeding.Source
New Zealand
- Shop-bought eggnog made with pasteurised eggsCheck
- Homemade eggnog with raw eggAvoid
Ireland
- Shop-bought eggnog made with pasteurised eggsCheck
- Homemade eggnog with raw eggAvoid
- HSEAvoid foods made with raw or under-cooked eggs, e.g. homemade mayonnaise; cook eggs thoroughly.Source
- HSEAvoid foods made with raw or under-cooked eggs, such as homemade mayonnaise.Source
Eggnog with rum, brandy or other alcohol- HSENo amount of alcohol at any stage of pregnancy is safe; do not drink when trying to conceive.Source
Before you drink eggnog.
Check the carton says pasteurised
Read the label of shop-bought eggnog, or ask at a cafe or party, whether it's made with pasteurised eggs. FoodSafety.gov says foods with raw or lightly cooked eggs should be made only with pasteurised eggs in pregnancy. FoodSafety.gov
Heat homemade eggnog to 71°C
Health Canada lists homemade eggnog among the raw-egg foods to avoid unless it's heated to 71°C. The NHS doesn't name eggnog, and accepts raw-egg foods made with British Lion or Laid in Britain hen eggs. Health Canada
In New Zealand, skip raw-egg eggnog
Health NZ names eggnog among the raw-egg foods not to eat in pregnancy, with no pasteurised-egg exception. Ireland's HSE asks you to avoid foods made with raw or under-cooked eggs. Health NZ
Leave out the rum or brandy
Make it without alcohol, or ask before you drink a glass at a party. The CDC's advice is no alcohol in pregnancy, and it says all types of alcohol can harm a baby. CDC
About eggnog
in pregnancy.
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Download app nowDoola shows what official guidance says; it never diagnoses. No known issues means none of these countries' pregnancy guidance names it, not a promise that a food is safe.