Can You Drink Kombucha When Pregnant?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against NHS foods-to-avoid guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
Kombucha is best avoided during pregnancy — it's usually unpasteurised and contains trace alcohol from fermentation.
Why is kombucha a concern in pregnancy?
The NHS foods-to-avoid page does not mention kombucha. The reasons to avoid it come from elsewhere: the NHS recommends not drinking alcohol in pregnancy and kombucha contains some alcohol from fermentation; New Zealand's MPI says not to drink unpasteurised kombucha but that pasteurised kombucha is OK; and the UK brand we checked (Remedy, listed on Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons) describes itself as raw and unpasteurised with no alcohol figure on its product page. The US charity MotherToBaby advises avoiding kombucha for the whole pregnancy.
You can also check the calorie content of kombucha alongside its safety information. Also check medication safety during pregnancy if you're managing any conditions.
The exception
Pasteurised, verified 0.0% kombucha-style drinks are a lower-risk alternative if you're missing the flavour.
The NHS does not mention kombucha. Here is what the advice is built on.
The NHS foods-to-avoid page (reviewed 15 June 2026) does not name kombucha. Advice to avoid it rests on three separate points, each from a different source, and they do not all apply to every bottle.
| Concern | Source | What it says | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | NHS alcohol in pregnancy (reviewed 13 March 2023): 'if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant you should not drink alcohol'. MotherToBaby (US, 14 February 2020): kombucha contains alcohol from fermentation; homebrews can reach about 3% | No safe level is established | All kombucha, more so homebrew and bottles that keep fermenting |
| Unpasteurised | New Zealand MPI (29 July 2026): 'Don't drink' unpasteurised kombucha; pasteurised kombucha is 'OK to drink'. MotherToBaby: unpasteurised products aren't recommended because of bacteria such as listeria and salmonella | Raw kombucha only | Raw bottles; homemade |
| Caffeine | MotherToBaby: roughly 15 to 130 mg per bottle depending on the tea; Tommy's keeps the limit under 200mg a day in total | Count it with tea and coffee | All tea-based kombucha |
Healthline (17 August 2018) reaches a similar position: it may be best to avoid kombucha during pregnancy, and it notes there are no large studies. Both MotherToBaby and Healthline are US articles.
What a UK shelf label actually says
One UK brand stocked by all three big supermarkets we checked, Remedy Kombucha Ginger Lemon, is listed on the Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons sites. All three pages say the same: 'Our kombucha is raw, vegan & unpasteurised.' The ingredients start 'Raw Kombucha (Carbonated Water, Sugar, Black Tea Leaves, Green Tea Leaves, Traditional Kombucha Culture)'. The Sainsbury's and Tesco pages give no alcohol percentage or caffeine figure and no pregnancy warning; the Morrisons page carries only a generic note that alcohol content may change between products. So the shelf listing leaves the two questions that matter, raw or pasteurised and how much alcohol, with one of them answered and the other not.
Picking a drink when you want the fizz
| Choice | Reading (ours, from the sources above) |
|---|---|
| Raw, unpasteurised kombucha (as the Remedy listings describe) | Fails the MPI test and gives no alcohol figure; avoid |
| Pasteurised kombucha, if the label says so | Passes the MPI test; the alcohol question remains, so check the label for a strength |
| Homemade kombucha | Highest alcohol and contamination uncertainty per MotherToBaby and Healthline; avoid |
| 'Alcohol-free' or 0.0% drinks | UK descriptors allow up to 0.05% (Drinkaware); see alcohol-free beer |
| Fizzy water with fruit, or a pasteurised soft drink | No fermentation, no raw-culture concern |
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) — kombucha not mentioned; unpasteurised milk-based foods avoided
- NHS: Drinking alcohol while pregnant (page last reviewed 13 March 2023; next review was due 13 March 2026) — advice not to drink alcohol in pregnancy (reviewed 13 March 2023)
- New Zealand MPI: List of safe food in pregnancy (last reviewed 29 July 2026) — pasteurised kombucha OK; unpasteurised don't drink
- MotherToBaby (US): Kombucha and pregnancy, answers to your brewing questions (14 February 2020) — alcohol from fermentation; homebrews about 3%; caffeine 15 to 130 mg; avoid for 9 months
- Healthline: Is kombucha safe during pregnancy? (17 August 2018) — US article: may be best to avoid; no large studies
- Sainsbury's: Remedy Kombucha Ginger Lemon 4 x 330ml (product page) — Remedy: raw, vegan and unpasteurised; no alcohol figure
- Tesco: Remedy Kombucha Ginger Lemon 700ml (product page) — Remedy: raw, vegan and unpasteurised; no alcohol figure
- Morrisons: Remedy Kombucha Ginger Lemon cans 4 x 330ml (product page) — Remedy: raw, vegan and unpasteurised; generic alcohol note
- Tommy's: Limiting your caffeine intake in pregnancy — caffeine under 200mg a day
- Drinkaware: What's the difference between low alcohol and alcohol-free drinks? (23 July 2020) — UK alcohol-free descriptor 0.05%
Safe swaps
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Want to know exactly what's in your food? Our ingredient checker covers E-numbers, allergens and vegan status. Enjoy a gut-friendly drink alongside? Hip Pop Kombucha from Hip Pop uses live cultures and 30% less sugar. Affiliate link. US: Managing digestive issues? at-home gastrointestinal testing from HealthLabs.com can help identify triggers.
Kombucha: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| While breastfeeding | Caution |
Common questions
Can I eat kombucha in the first trimester?
Yes — the advice to avoid Kombucha applies throughout pregnancy.
Is a small amount of kombucha OK during pregnancy?
The NHS advises avoiding Kombucha entirely during pregnancy rather than limiting it.
I accidentally ate kombucha while pregnant — what should I do?
The risk from a single serving is low. Watch for stomach upset or flu-like symptoms over the following days and weeks, and contact your midwife or GP if you feel unwell.
Is cooked kombucha safe in pregnancy?
Yes — boiling or thoroughly heating Kombucha kills the bacteria of concern, making it safe.
Is kombucha pasteurised in the UK?
Not necessarily. The Remedy Kombucha pages on Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons say 'raw, vegan & unpasteurised'. Check each bottle.
How much alcohol is in kombucha?
It varies. MotherToBaby says labelling rules in the US treat 0.5% or more as needing a pregnancy warning and homebrews can reach about 3%. The UK Remedy listings we read gave no alcohol figure.
Is pasteurised kombucha safe in pregnancy?
New Zealand's MPI says pasteurised kombucha is OK to drink and unpasteurised is not. The NHS does not mention kombucha, and there is still some alcohol from fermentation.
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.