Can You Eat Hummus When Breastfeeding?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against NHS: food and drinks to avoid when breastfeeding · Last updated 28 October 2026
Yes. Hummus is fine while breastfeeding. The listeria caution that applies in pregnancy ends at birth. Keep chilled food in the fridge and eat it by the use-by date.
What the guidance says
Chilled ready-to-eat foods were cautioned in pregnancy because listeria can harm an unborn baby. That reason ends at birth. Ordinary food hygiene still applies: keep it refrigerated, check the use-by date, and don't leave it out for hours.
You can also check the calorie content of hummus alongside its safety information.
The real reason to keep hummus in date: a 2019 UK recall, not a breastfeeding rule
The chilled-food caution on hummus pages across this site, for pregnancy and otherwise, traces back to a real event: in October and November 2019, Zorba Delicacies Limited recalled a wide range of hummus products because of the possible presence of Salmonella, a recall that grew to dozens of products across UK supermarkets, as Food Standards Scotland and LBC both reported at the time. That had nothing to do with pregnancy or breastfeeding; it was a supplier ingredient issue affecting hummus sold to the general public.
The NHS breastfeeding avoid page does not name hummus. There is no breastfeeding-specific hummus rule. What matters is the same thing that mattered in 2019: buy from a reputable source, keep it chilled, and eat it within its use-by date.
Sources checked
Everything in the sections above was checked against these pages on 28 October 2026.
- Food Standards Scotland: Zorba Delicacies Limited recalls various houmous products because of the possible presence of Salmonella (29 October 2019) — 2019 Zorba Delicacies hummus recall, possible Salmonella
- LBC: Mass hummus recall issued over salmonella fears (4 November 2019) — recall grew to dozens of products across UK supermarkets
- NHS: Food and drinks to avoid when breastfeeding (published 21 July 2023, modified 28 January 2026) — hummus not named on the breastfeeding avoid list
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More for the feeding months
Hummus: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| In pregnancy | Caution |
| In the fridge (Shop-Bought Hummus) | 3 months unopened, 7 days once opened |
| Past the date on the label | No — use-by means use by |
Common questions
Is hummus safe while breastfeeding?
Yes. Hummus is fine while breastfeeding. The listeria caution that applies in pregnancy ends at birth. Keep chilled food in the fridge and eat it by the use-by date.
Does the listeria warning for hummus still apply?
No. It was a pregnancy rule. Listeria is rare but can make anyone ill, so keep chilled foods cold and in date.
How long can I keep it once opened?
Follow the pack's 'use within' instruction. Leftovers should be chilled within 1–2 hours and eaten within 2 days (NHS/FSA).
Was this different during pregnancy?
In pregnancy our verdict was “caution” (see our pregnancy guide for the reasons).
What should I avoid while breastfeeding?
The NHS list is short. Caffeine: try not to have more than 300mg a day (a mug of filter coffee is about 140mg, instant 100mg, tea 75mg). Alcohol: it is safer not to drink, but 1 or 2 units once or twice a week should be fine. Oily fish: no more than 2 portions a week. Shark, swordfish and marlin: no more than 1 portion a week. Peanuts are fine unless you're allergic. Most other foods that were off the menu in pregnancy, such as soft cheese, pâté, cured meat and runny eggs, are not restricted.
Why do food-safety sites caution about hummus if it isn't a restricted food?
A real UK incident in 2019 saw Zorba Delicacies recall a large range of hummus products over possible Salmonella contamination. That's a supplier food-safety issue affecting the general public, not a pregnancy or breastfeeding-specific rule, and it's the actual reason ordinary chilled-food hygiene matters for hummus.
Related answers
Primary source: NHS: food and drinks to avoid when breastfeeding.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.