Can I eat spicy food while pregnant?
Doola Scan's answer in the United StatesSpicy food, such as chilli, hot sauce, jalapeños and curry, 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 the spice itself. The NHS mentions spice once, for heartburn: it says cutting down on rich, spicy or fatty foods can ease heartburn and indigestion in pregnancy. What decides a spicy dish is the rest of the plate, such as meat, egg or cheese, which Doola Scan reads one by one. Fresh chillies eaten raw are raw vegetables, and all six countries ask you to wash those.
Checked against Doola Scan's pregnancy rules · UpdatedFresh or dried chilli, red or green
No known issuesIn all six countriesJalapeños, raw or cooked
No known issuesIn all six countriesHot sauce and salsa
No known issuesIn all six countriesCurry
No known issuesIn all six countries
Spicy food while pregnant: what each country says.
Each country's own pregnancy guidance on spicy food, with a link to it. Doola Scan uses your country's first.
No known issuesNone of the six countries' pregnancy guidance names spicy food.
United States
No known issuesWashing raw vegetables- FDAAvoid unwashed fresh vegetables, including lettuce and salads.Source
United Kingdom
No known issuesWashing raw vegetables- NHSSoil on produce can carry bacteria and toxoplasma.Source
Canada
No known issuesWashing raw vegetables- Health CanadaRinse delicate produce under cool running water; scrub firm produce.Source
Australia
No known issuesWashing raw vegetables- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government Dept of Health)Wash fruit, vegetables and herbs to remove soil (toxoplasma).Source
New Zealand
No known issuesWashing raw vegetables- Health NZWash and dry all fresh fruit and vegetables well just before eating.Source
Ireland
No known issuesWashing raw vegetables- HSEWash all fruit, vegetables and pre-packed salads before eating.Source
Before you eat spicy food.
Wash fresh chillies before you slice them
Health NZ asks you to wash and dry fresh vegetables well just before eating them raw, or to wash them before cooking. Rinse chillies and jalapeños under running water before you cut off the stems, especially for a raw salsa. Health NZ
Cut away soft or damaged parts
The FDA asks you to cut away damaged or bruised areas of fresh produce before eating, and not to use soap or produce wash. Keep cut chillies and fresh salsa in the fridge. FDA
About spicy food
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.