Can I eat oranges while pregnant?
Doola Scan's answer in the United StatesOranges, mandarins and clementines aren't on the pregnancy food lists of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Ireland, so Doola Scan shows No known issues for the fruit and for pasteurised orange juice. Unpasteurised orange juice is different: it gets Check in all six countries, because each one asks for juice to be pasteurised or treated. FoodSafety.gov asks for unpasteurised juice to be brought to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute, and Health Canada accepts it boiled and cooled.
Checked against Doola Scan's pregnancy rules · UpdatedFresh oranges, peeled or in segments
No known issuesIn all six countriesMandarins, clementines and tangerines, including small easy-peel ones
No known issuesIn all six countriesPasteurised orange juice from a carton or bottle
No known issuesIn all six countries
Oranges while pregnant: what each country says.
Each country's own pregnancy guidance on oranges, with a link to it. Doola Scan uses your country's first.
No known issuesNone of the six countries' pregnancy guidance names oranges.
United States
No known issuesWashing fruit before eating- FDAAvoid unwashed fresh vegetables, including lettuce and salads.Source
United Kingdom
No known issuesWashing fruit before eating- NHSSoil on produce can carry bacteria and toxoplasma.Source
Canada
No known issuesWashing fruit before eating- Health CanadaRinse delicate produce under cool running water; scrub firm produce.Source
Australia
No known issuesWashing fruit before eating- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government Dept of Health)Wash fruit, vegetables and herbs to remove soil (toxoplasma).Source
New Zealand
No known issuesWashing fruit before eating- Health NZWash and dry all fresh fruit and vegetables well just before eating.Source
Freshly squeezed or unpasteurised orange juice- Health NZPasteurised juice, kombucha and non-alcoholic cider OK; unpasteurised (raw) don't drink.Source
Ireland
No known issuesWashing fruit before eating- HSEWash all fruit, vegetables and pre-packed salads before eating.Source
Before you eat oranges.
Choose pasteurised orange juice
The FDA says juice that hasn't been pasteurised or otherwise treated can carry harmful bacteria, and that untreated juice in shops carries a warning label. It asks you to check whether juice sold by the glass, as at a cafe or juice bar, has been pasteurised. FDA
Boil fresh-squeezed juice if you want it
FoodSafety.gov asks pregnant women to bring unpasteurised juice to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute, and Health Canada accepts unpasteurised juice brought to a rolling boil and cooled. Health NZ says not to drink unpasteurised (raw) juice. FoodSafety.gov
Wash the peel before you cut or zest it
The FDA says it's still important to wash produce you peel, so dirt and bacteria aren't carried onto the fruit by your hands or the knife. Rinse oranges under running water, with no soap, before you squeeze, slice or zest them. FDA
About oranges
in pregnancy.
Not sure about a meal? Scan it.
Point Doola at a plate, a menu or a label. It checks every ingredient against your country's pregnancy guidance and shows its sources. Food scans are free, 3 a day.
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.