Is Duck eggs safe during pregnancy?

Eggs

Safe only when well cooked

The NHS says duck eggs can be eaten if well cooked and that raw or undercooked duck eggs should be avoided.[1]

What official sources say

NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy

  • Eggs › Safe to eat: All other eggs, including duck, goose and quail eggs, can be eaten in pregnancy if they are well cooked.[1]
  • Eggs › Foods to avoid: Raw or undercooked goose, duck and quail eggs are on the list of foods to avoid in pregnancy.[1]

Nutrition per 100 g (USDA)

Energy185 kcal
Protein12.81 g
Fibre0 g
Sugars0.93 g
Iron3.85 mg
Calcium64 mg
Folate (DFE)80 µg
Folate, total80 µg
Vitamin A (RAE)194 µg
Vitamin C0 mg
Vitamin D1.7 µg
Vitamin B125.4 µg
Choline263.4 mg
DHA (omega-3)0 g
EPA (omega-3)0 g
Caffeine0 mg
Sodium146 mg

USDA FoodData Central: Egg, duck, whole, fresh, raw (FDC ID 172189), per 100 g. Public domain. Values describe that USDA record; composition varies with variety and preparation.

Sources

  1. NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy · nhs.uk. Paraphrased. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). Not endorsed by the NHS.

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.