Is Pineapple safe during pregnancy?

Fruit Also called Anarasa (Bengali); Annasi pazham (Tamil); Anasa pandu (Telugu); Kayirha chakka (Malayalam); Anenas (Gujarati).

Vitamin C source that helps iron absorption

ICMR-NIN's pregnancy guidance says vitamin C-rich fruits such as pineapple improve iron absorption from plant foods.[1]

What official sources say

ICMR-NIN: Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024

  • Eating fruits rich in vitamin C, such as guava, pineapple and citrus fruits (lemon, orange), improves the absorption of iron from plant foods. (p. 19)[1]

The belief: Pineapple causes miscarriage

No official source advises avoiding pineapple. ICMR-NIN's pregnancy guidance says vitamin C-rich fruits such as pineapple improve iron absorption from plant foods. NIH NCCIH says little is known about whether bromelain (a pineapple enzyme) is safe to use in pregnancy.[1,2]

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]

NIH NCCIH: Herbs at a Glance: bromelain

  • Little is known about whether it's safe to use bromelain during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.[2]

ICMR-NIN: Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024

  • Fresh citrus fruits, guava, amla and some vegetables such as tomatoes are rich in vitamin C. (p. 48) (general-population advice, not specific to pregnancy)[1]

Nutrition per 100 g (USDA)

Energy50 kcal
Protein0.54 g
Fibre1.4 g
Sugars9.85 g
Iron0.29 mg
Calcium13 mg
Folate (DFE)18 µg
Folate, total18 µg
Vitamin A (RAE)3 µg
Vitamin C47.8 mg
Vitamin D0 µg
Vitamin B120 µg
Choline5.5 mg
DHA (omega-3)0 g
EPA (omega-3)0 g
Caffeine0 mg
Sodium1 mg

USDA FoodData Central: Pineapple, raw, all varieties (FDC ID 169124), per 100 g. Public domain. Values describe that USDA record; composition varies with variety and preparation.

Sources

  1. ICMR-NIN: Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024 · nin.res.in. Printed pages 19, 48. Paraphrased and cited by printed page; the text is not reproduced.
  2. NIH NCCIH: Herbs at a Glance: bromelain · nccih.nih.gov. US government work, public domain; quoted. No endorsement implied.
  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.