Is Caesar dressing safe during pregnancy?
Homemade or restaurant-made Caesar dressing often uses raw egg — skip it unless made with pasteurized eggs.
PregnancyNot recommended
BreastfeedingUse with care
EvidenceStrong
What the sources say
CDC, FDA and Mayo Clinic list Caesar salad dressing made with raw or undercooked eggs as a food to avoid in pregnancy. FDA suggests pasteurized eggs or egg products for recipes like this. Versions made with pasteurized eggs avoid the raw-egg concern.
Common alternatives
Also listed as
homemade caesar dressing, caesar salad, fresh caesar, tableside caesar
Sources
- CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women
- FDA: People at Risk of Foodborne Illness
- FDA: What You Need to Know About Egg Safety
- Mayo Clinic: Pregnancy nutrition: Foods to avoid during pregnancy
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.