Is Raw flour safe during pregnancy?
Flour is a raw food — never eat it uncooked. Bake or cook it first.
PregnancyNot recommended
BreastfeedingNot recommended
EvidenceStrong
What the sources say
FDA and CDC explain that most flour is made from raw grain and hasn't been treated to kill germs like E. coli and Salmonella; grinding and bleaching don't kill them. Never eat or taste raw flour, dough or batter, don't add raw cake mix to milkshakes, and don't rely on home heat-treating. Wash hands and surfaces after handling flour. This applies to everyone, pregnant or not.
Common alternatives
Also listed as
uncooked flour, all-purpose flour, homemade play dough, flour in smoothies, raw baking mix, uncooked cake mix
Sources
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.