Is Caesar dressing / eggnog (raw-egg foods) safe during pregnancy?
Eggs
Avoid if made with raw egg
The US FDA and CDC advise avoiding foods that may contain raw or lightly cooked egg, naming Caesar dressing and homemade eggnog; the FDA says commercial dressings made with pasteurised egg are safe.[1,2,3]
What official sources say
US FDA: Dairy and Eggs (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be)
- Avoid eating or tasting foods that may contain raw or lightly-cooked eggs, such as:
Caesar salad dressing
[1] Note: Commercial mayonnaise, dressing, and sauces contain pasteurized eggs that are safe to eat.
[1]- Avoid eating or tasting foods that may contain raw or lightly-cooked eggs, such as:
Eggnog and other egg-fortified beverages that are not thoroughly cooked
[1]
US CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women
US FDA: Eating Out & Bringing In (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be)
Some restaurants may use uncooked eggs in foods like Caesar salad dressing, custards, and some sauces. Avoid foods that might contain raw or undercooked eggs.
[3]
Sources
- US FDA: Dairy and Eggs (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be) · fda.gov. US government work, public domain; quoted. No endorsement implied.
- US CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women · cdc.gov. US government work, public domain; quoted. No endorsement implied.
- US FDA: Eating Out & Bringing In (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be) · fda.gov. US government work, public domain; quoted. No endorsement implied.
Sources checked 26 September 2026.
Quotes are checked word for word against each source page, and paraphrases against the original text. Official bodies are named as sources only: none of them reviewed or endorses this page.
Educational information, not medical advice. Your own doctor or midwife may advise differently for you — follow their advice.