Can You Eat Hummus When Pregnant?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against NHS foods-to-avoid guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
Shop-bought chilled hummus, in date and kept refrigerated, is generally fine in pregnancy — avoid hummus that's been sitting out (buffets, deli counters).
Why is hummus a concern in pregnancy?
The NHS foods-to-avoid page does not mention hummus. It does say pre-packaged sandwiches and salads should be kept chilled and eaten before the use-by date, and we apply that same chilled-food rule to hummus. Food Standards Australia New Zealand and New Zealand's MPI go further and say not to eat hummus or tahini dips in pregnancy because of Salmonella, which is why we label this a caution. Keep it refrigerated and in date, eat it within the days on the tub once opened, and skip hummus that has sat out at room temperature (buffets, open deli tubs).
You can also check the calorie content of hummus alongside its safety information. Also check medication safety during pregnancy if you're managing any conditions.
The exception
Choose pre-packed, refrigerated hummus, eat it well within its use-by date, and don't eat it if it has been sitting out at room temperature.
The UK says nothing about hummus. Australia and New Zealand say don't eat it.
The NHS foods-to-avoid page (reviewed 15 June 2026) does not mention hummus, chickpea dips or tahini. Other national regulators do:
| Source (date) | What it says about hummus | Why |
|---|---|---|
| NHS (reviewed 15 June 2026) | Not mentioned | No reason given because it is not listed |
| Food Standards Australia New Zealand, reported by Food Safety News (11 May 2021) | 'Hummus and tahini may be contaminated with Salmonella and should not be eaten.' Avoid hummus and other dips containing tahini | Salmonella contamination of tahini |
| New Zealand MPI list of safe food in pregnancy (last reviewed 29 July 2026) | 'Hummus and other dips containing tahini': 'Don't eat', whether store-bought or home-made | Not stated in the list |
| Biology Insights (undated) | Names the Australian and NZ advice; says shop-bought hummus carries more risk than fresh homemade; other claims are attributed to unnamed experts | Listeria growth in a high-water-content dip, and Salmonella from tahini |
This is a real disagreement between regulators, not a gap in the research. We follow the NHS because you are in the UK, and label hummus 'caution' rather than 'safe' because the Australian and New Zealand advice exists.
There is a UK precedent: the 2019 houmous recall
On 29 October 2019 Zorba Delicacies recalled 'various houmous products because of the possible presence of salmonella', according to Food Standards Scotland. LBC reported on 4 November 2019 that the recall grew from up to 17 items to 83 products sold at Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Lidl, Aldi, Spar, Safeway, Iceland and John Lewis, and that the company said the source was 'an ingredient supplied by a third party'. The FSA's advice was not to eat affected products and to return them for a refund. That was a general public recall, not a pregnancy rule, but it is the UK event that links hummus to Salmonella.
Practical rules, UK style
| Situation | What to do (our reading of the sources) |
|---|---|
| Shop-bought tub, in date, chilled | Within the NHS wording for chilled ready-to-eat foods; check recalls on the FSA site |
| Opened tub | The Morrisons Classic Houmous 200g page says 'Use within 2 days of opening. Do not exceed the date shown'. Other brands differ, so read the lid |
| Deli counter, buffet, open bowl | Skip: no way to check temperature or how long it has been out |
| Homemade | Use tahini from a sealed jar and eat it fresh; Biology Insights notes tahini is a possible Salmonella source |
| Restaurant or meze starter | Ask whether it is made in-house or from a tub; hold the same rules as for a deli tub |
| Hummus topped or served with raw sprouts | Sprouts are a separate rule; see beansprouts |
Two different bugs, two different reasons
- Salmonella is the one tied to tahini and to the 2019 UK recall. It is a risk to anyone and is what the Australian and NZ advice names.
- Listeria is the pregnancy-specific worry for chilled ready-to-eat foods. The NHS does not name hummus under it, so the link is our application of the chilled-food rule.
- If you feel unwell after eating a recalled product, contact NHS 111 or your midwife.
Sources checked
Everything in the sections above was checked against these pages on 28 October 2026.
- NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (page last reviewed 15 June 2026) — hummus not mentioned; pre-packaged sandwiches and salads kept chilled and eaten before the use-by date
- Food Safety News: Australia updates food safety advice for pregnant women (11 May 2021; FSANZ advice) — FSANZ: hummus and tahini may be contaminated with Salmonella and should not be eaten
- New Zealand MPI: List of safe food in pregnancy (last reviewed 29 July 2026) — NZ MPI: hummus and tahini dips, don't eat
- Biology Insights: Can pregnant women eat hummus? (undated; names Australian and NZ advice, other claims attributed to unnamed experts) — rival: shop-bought vs homemade; tahini a possible Salmonella source
- Food Standards Scotland: Zorba Delicacies Limited recalls various houmous products because of the possible presence of Salmonella (29 October 2019) — 2019 recall, possible presence of Salmonella
- LBC: Mass hummus recall issued over salmonella fears (4 November 2019) — recall grew to 83 products; supplier ingredient; advice
- Morrisons: Classic Houmous 200g (product page) — use within 2 days of opening
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Check Price →Hummus: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| While breastfeeding | Safe |
| 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
Can I eat hummus in the first trimester?
The same caution applies throughout pregnancy, including the first trimester.
Is a small amount of hummus OK during pregnancy?
It's about the source rather than the amount — pre-packed and in date is generally fine; deli-counter or buffet versions are best avoided entirely.
I accidentally ate hummus while pregnant — what should I do?
The risk from a single serving is low. Watch for flu-like symptoms over the next few weeks and contact your midwife or GP if you feel unwell.
Is cooked hummus safe in pregnancy?
Hummus is eaten cold, so cooking doesn't usually apply — freshly making it yourself at home is the lowest-risk option.
Is hummus safe in pregnancy in the UK?
The NHS foods-to-avoid page does not mention hummus. Australia (FSANZ) and New Zealand (MPI) advise against hummus and tahini dips because of Salmonella. We treat shop-bought, in-date, chilled hummus as a caution rather than a ban.
Has hummus been recalled in the UK?
Yes. In October and November 2019 Zorba Delicacies recalled houmous products from many UK supermarkets because of possible Salmonella, according to Food Standards Scotland and LBC.
How long can I keep an opened tub of hummus?
Check the lid. The Morrisons Classic Houmous 200g page says to use it within 2 days of opening. Our <a href='/how-long-does-hummus-last-in-fridge/'>hummus storage guide</a> covers the general case.
Related answers
Primary source: NHS foods-to-avoid guidance.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.