🧁 Desserts - Pregnancy Safety

Contains raw eggs and raw flour, both of which can carry harmful bacteria including Salmonella and E. coli.

Contains raw eggs (salmonella risk) and raw flour (E. coli risk); the FDA warns against consuming any raw dough or batter during pregnancy.

Made from raw egg whites and sugar that are not cooked to a safe temperature; carries salmonella risk.

Contains uncooked alcohol that does not evaporate since the dessert is not baked; some recipes also include raw eggs.

Contains glycyrrhizin which may affect fetal development in large amounts (250g+/week). Small occasional amounts are fine.

Some no-bake recipes contain raw eggs or unpasteurized dairy; without baking, eggs never reach a safe temperature.

Typically made with raw or lightly cooked eggs; carries salmonella risk unless made with pasteurized eggs.

Some recipes contain raw eggs or liqueur; commercially produced truffles using pasteurized ingredients and no alcohol are generally safe.

Contains more caffeine than milk chocolate (~31mg per 1.5oz); count toward 200mg daily limit. Rich in antioxidants.

Self-serve frozen yogurt machines carry similar listeria risk to soft-serve dispensers; pre-packaged frozen yogurt from stores is safer.

Homemade ice cream often uses raw eggs in the custard base, posing salmonella risk.

Traditional royal icing uses raw egg whites; carries salmonella risk unless made with pasteurized egg whites or meringue powder.

The dispensing machines can harbor Listeria if not properly cleaned and maintained; contamination has been documented in outbreaks.

Traditional recipe uses raw eggs, mascarpone, and sometimes alcohol (Marsala wine or rum), posing salmonella and alcohol exposure risks.

Baked pastry made with phyllo dough, nuts, and honey; fully cooked with no raw ingredients. Safe during pregnancy.

Baked cheesecake is safe as the eggs and cream cheese are thoroughly cooked during baking; commercial cream cheese is pasteurized.

Milk chocolate is safe in moderation (~10mg caffeine per serving). Some studies suggest dark chocolate may benefit blood pressure.

Baked custard that is cooked in a water bath at temperatures that pasteurize the eggs; the cream is also heated. Generally safe when properly prepared.

Properly cooked custard heated to 160°F (71°C) or above kills salmonella; store-bought custard is made with pasteurized eggs.

Made by slowly heating pasteurized sweetened milk; the cooking process eliminates bacterial concerns. Safe during pregnancy.

Commercial edible cookie dough is made with heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs; safe during pregnancy.

Made from sugar, water, and gelatin or glycerin; does not contain raw eggs or dairy. Safe during pregnancy.

Commercial gelato scooped from a freezer cabinet uses pasteurized ingredients and is kept at properly frozen temperatures; generally safe during pregnancy.

Gelatin-based candy safe during pregnancy; just sugar with no specific pregnancy risks. Eat in moderation.

Commercial ice cream is made with pasteurized milk and eggs; safe during pregnancy from reputable brands.

French macarons are baked at high temperatures and the meringue base is fully cooked; commercially produced macarons are safe during pregnancy.

Pavlovas and meringue cookies are baked at temperatures that kill salmonella; safe during pregnancy.

Made from cooked glutinous rice flour; mochi and mochi ice cream from stores use pasteurized dairy and are safe during pregnancy.

Safe during pregnancy; primarily sugar and hazelnuts. Eat in moderation due to high sugar and calorie content.

Made with cooked cream set with gelatin; does not typically contain eggs. Safe during pregnancy when made with pasteurized cream.

Baked dessert with fully cooked filling; safe during pregnancy. Eggs are cooked through in the custard.

Different ingredients from black licorice; no glycyrrhizin concern. Safe during pregnancy in moderation.

Typically made from fruit, sugar, and water without dairy or eggs; safe during pregnancy. A good dairy-free frozen dessert option.