Is Fresh fruits & vegetables safe during pregnancy?
Great to eat — just rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water first (even if you'll peel them).
What the sources say
CDC lists unwashed fresh fruits and vegetables, including lettuce and leafy greens, as a riskier choice in pregnancy; washed produce is safer, and washed-then-cooked is safest. FDA advises rinsing produce under running water (no soap or produce wash), scrubbing firm produce with a brush, cutting away damaged areas and drying with a clean towel. Unwashed produce can also spread Toxoplasma from soil (FDA, CDC). No special restriction while breastfeeding (CDC).
Common alternatives
Also listed as
unwashed produce, unwashed fruit, unwashed vegetables, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, raw vegetables, salad vegetables, lettuce, berries, farmers market produce, garden vegetables
Sources
- CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women
- FDA: Selecting and Serving Produce Safely
- FDA: Toxoplasma (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be)
- CDC: Preventing Toxoplasmosis
- FDA: Food Safety for Moms-to-Be At-a-Glance
- CDC: Maternal Diet and Breastfeeding
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.