Can I eat papaya while pregnant?
Doola Scan's answer in the United StatesPapaya, ripe, unripe (green) or cooked, isn't on the pregnancy food lists of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Ireland, so Doola Scan shows No known issues for it. The NHS foods to avoid in pregnancy page doesn't name papaya, ripe or unripe, and none of the other five countries' lists that Doola Scan reads names it either. Dried papaya shows the same. The step that does apply is the one for any fruit: all six countries ask you to wash raw produce, so rinse the skin before you cut it.
Checked against Doola Scan's pregnancy rules · UpdatedRipe papaya, sliced or scooped from the skin
No known issuesIn all six countriesUnripe green papaya, shredded raw into salads
No known issuesIn all six countriesPapaya cooked in curries, soups and stews
No known issuesIn all six countriesDried papaya pieces
No known issuesIn all six countries
Papaya while pregnant: what each country says.
Each country's own pregnancy guidance on papaya, with a link to it. Doola Scan uses your country's first.
No known issuesNone of the six countries' pregnancy guidance names papaya.
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
Ireland
No known issuesWashing fruit before eating- HSEWash all fruit, vegetables and pre-packed salads before eating.Source
Before you eat papaya.
Wash the skin before you cut the papaya
Rinse the whole papaya under running water before you slice it, even though you won't eat the skin. The FDA says it's still important to wash produce you peel, so dirt and bacteria aren't carried onto the flesh by the knife, and not to use soap or produce wash. FDA
Wash green papaya before you shred it
Health NZ asks you to wash and dry all fresh fruit and vegetables well just before eating them. Green papaya in a salad is eaten raw, so wash and peel it before it goes on the grater. Health NZ
About papaya
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.