Can You Eat Hollandaise Sauce When Pregnant?
Reviewed against NHS foods-to-avoid guidance · Updated September 2026
Nutritional data sourced from USDA FoodData Central and Public Health England. Always consult a registered dietitian for personal dietary advice.
Hollandaise is only lightly cooked, so it's safe in pregnancy only if made with British Lion eggs — worth asking when eating out.
Why is hollandaise sauce safe in pregnancy?
Hollandaise sauce is made with lightly cooked egg yolks that don't reach a temperature that kills salmonella. Under NHS guidance that's fine if the eggs are British Lion stamped, as those hens are vaccinated against salmonella. In restaurants and cafés, ask whether they use Lion eggs or pasteurised egg — if they can't confirm, it's best avoided.
You can also check the calorie content of hollandaise sauce alongside its safety information. Also check medication safety during pregnancy if you're managing any conditions.
The exception
Hollandaise made with pasteurised egg or Lion eggs is safe.
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Pregnancy essentials
Pregnancy multivitamin
The NHS advises 400µg of folic acid daily — easiest as one daily tablet.
Check Price →Pregnancy food guide
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Check Price →Digital food thermometer
Cooked through means 75°C in the middle — a probe ends the guesswork.
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Want to know exactly what's in your food? Our ingredient checker covers E-numbers, allergens and vegan status.
More pregnancy essentials
Baby-safe food thermometer
Useful for pregnancy cooking checks and later for baby food.
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Common questions
Can I eat hollandaise sauce in the first trimester?
Yes — Lion-stamped hollandaise sauce are safe at every stage of pregnancy, including the first trimester.
Is a small amount of hollandaise sauce OK during pregnancy?
There is no need to limit Lion-stamped hollandaise sauce during pregnancy. Eggs are an excellent source of protein, choline and vitamin D.
I accidentally ate hollandaise sauce while pregnant — what should I do?
If the eggs were Lion-stamped, there is nothing to worry about. If they weren't, the risk of salmonella from a single serving is still low — salmonella is unpleasant but very rarely harms the baby directly. Contact your GP or midwife if you develop sickness, diarrhoea or fever.
Is cooked hollandaise sauce safe in pregnancy?
Yes — thoroughly cooked eggs (firm white and yolk) are safe in pregnancy regardless of where they come from.
Related answers
Primary source: NHS foods-to-avoid guidance.
The information on 247foodcheck.com is compiled from official public guidance (NHS, Food Standards Agency, USDA/FDA FoodKeeper) and is provided for general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace guidance from your midwife, GP, health visitor or other qualified professional. When in doubt, throw it out — and if you feel unwell after eating something, contact NHS 111 or your doctor.