Can You Eat Raw Cake Batter When Breastfeeding?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against NHS: food and drinks to avoid when breastfeeding · Last updated 28 October 2026
There is no breastfeeding rule against it, but the FSA advises nobody to eat raw cake batter or dough. Raw flour can carry E. coli, and raw egg a little Salmonella.
What the guidance says
Raw batter is a problem for everyone, not just breastfeeding mothers. Flour is raw until it's baked, and raw flour has been linked to E. coli outbreaks (FSA). The egg in the mix adds a small Salmonella risk. Food poisoning would make you ill while feeding, so bake it, and lick the spoon only if the mix is flour- and egg-free.
You can also check the calorie content of raw cake batter alongside its safety information.
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Raw Cake Batter: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| In pregnancy | Avoid (unless Lion eggs) |
Common questions
Is raw cake batter safe while breastfeeding?
There is no breastfeeding rule against it, but the FSA advises nobody to eat raw cake batter or dough. Raw flour can carry E. coli, and raw egg a little Salmonella.
Why is raw flour a risk?
Flour comes from grain grown in fields and isn't heat-treated, so it can carry bacteria such as E. coli. Baking or cooking kills them (FSA).
Is the egg in raw batter the problem?
A small part of it. Lion-stamped eggs are low-risk (FSA), but the flour is the bigger concern.
Was this different during pregnancy?
Yes. In pregnancy our verdict was “avoid (unless lion eggs)”, because of a risk to the unborn baby (see our pregnancy guide). Those reasons ended when your baby was born.
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.
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.