Is Mushrooms safe during pregnancy?

Vegetables Also called Banger chata (Bengali); Kaalaan (Tamil); Putta Godugu (Telugu); Bhoochhtra (Marathi); Kun koon (Malayalam); Aanabay/Aanabe (Kannada); Biladi no top (Gujarati).

Cook thoroughly

The US CDC says people at higher risk should not eat raw mushrooms; ICMR-NIN lists mushrooms among vegetables in its pregnancy food groups.[1,2]

What official sources say

US CDC: Preventing Listeria Infection

  • Enoki Mushrooms: CDC is investigating outbreaks linked to Listeria in enoki mushrooms. If you are at increased risk for infection, do not eat raw mushrooms. When at home and when dining out, eat mushrooms only if they have been cooked thoroughly to reduce risk of illness. (advice for vulnerable people, including pregnant women)[1]

ICMR-NIN: Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024

  • Its pregnancy food groups list carrots, cauliflower, bottle gourd, snake gourd, pumpkin, spinach, amaranth, capsicum, mushrooms, tomatoes and other vegetables. (p. 16)[2]

Related general rules

NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy

  • Fruit and vegetables › Safe to eat: Most fruits and vegetables are safe to eat in pregnancy, as long as they are washed thoroughly first.[3]
  • Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly to remove soil, because soil can carry bacteria that may make you ill.[3]

US FDA: Fruits, Veggies and Juices (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be)

  • Thoroughly rinse raw fruits and vegetables under running water before eating or preparing them, especially fruits that require peeling or cutting - like cantaloupe and other melons.[4]

US CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women

  • Riskier Choice: Unwashed fresh fruits and vegetables, including lettuce and other leafy greens[5]
  • Safer Choice: Washed vegetables and fruits (washed and then cooked are safest)[5]

NHS: Have a healthy diet in pregnancy

  • Aim for at least 5 portions of varied fruit and vegetables a day, which can be fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juiced, and always wash fresh produce carefully.[6]

Nutrition per 100 g (USDA)

Energy22 kcal
Protein3.09 g
Fibre1 g
Sugars1.98 g
Iron0.5 mg
Calcium3 mg
Folate (DFE)17 µg
Folate, total17 µg
Vitamin A (RAE)0 µg
Vitamin C2.1 mg
Vitamin D0.2 µg
Vitamin B120.04 µg
Choline17.3 mg
DHA (omega-3)0 g
EPA (omega-3)0 g
Caffeine0 mg
Sodium5 mg

USDA FoodData Central: Mushrooms, white, raw (FDC ID 169251), per 100 g. Public domain. Values describe that USDA record; composition varies with variety and preparation.

Sources

  1. US CDC: Preventing Listeria Infection · cdc.gov. US government work, public domain; quoted. No endorsement implied.
  2. ICMR-NIN: Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024 · nin.res.in. Printed page 16. Paraphrased and cited by printed page; the text is not reproduced.
  3. 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.
  4. US FDA: Fruits, Veggies and Juices (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be) · fda.gov. US government work, public domain; quoted. No endorsement implied.
  5. US CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women · cdc.gov. US government work, public domain; quoted. No endorsement implied.
  6. NHS: Have a healthy diet 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.