Can You Eat Tiramisu When Pregnant?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against NHS foods-to-avoid guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
Traditional tiramisu contains raw egg — only safe in pregnancy with British Lion or pasteurised eggs. Many shop-bought versions are fine; check homemade and restaurant versions.
Why is tiramisu a concern in pregnancy?
Classic tiramisu is made with raw egg, which is only considered safe in pregnancy if the eggs are British Lion stamped or pasteurised. Most supermarket tiramisu uses pasteurised egg and is fine. Tiramisu also usually contains a small amount of alcohol and coffee — the trace amounts in a single portion are generally considered acceptable, but bear them in mind.
You can also check the calorie content of tiramisu alongside its safety information. Also check medication safety during pregnancy if you're managing any conditions.
The exception
Shop-bought tiramisu made with pasteurised egg is fine. Ask about homemade or restaurant versions.
Tiramisu has three separate questions, not one
Most articles answer 'is tiramisu safe?' with a single word about raw egg. A classic tiramisu raises three questions that have different answers: the eggs, the mascarpone and the alcohol. Coffee adds a fourth, smaller one.
| Ingredient | What the sources say | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Egg (yolks and sometimes whites, usually uncooked) | The NHS says Lion and Laid in Britain eggs 'can be eaten raw, partially cooked (runny yolk), or well-cooked', and lists 'foods like mayonnaise and mousse that are made with raw eggs' as fine only on that condition. Tommy's and the BNF say the same. ScienceInsights (7 May 2026) names pasteurised egg as the main fix and cites an outbreak in which 20 people were ill after tiramisu made with raw shell eggs | Lion or Laid in Britain stamp (homemade); 'pasteurised egg' on the ingredients (shop-bought) |
| Mascarpone | The NHS lists pasteurised soft cheeses such as cream cheese as safe. It does not name mascarpone. Both Sainsbury's and M&S mascarpone say 'made with pasteurised milk' on the product page | 'Made with pasteurised milk' on the tub. A deli or farm-shop mascarpone should be asked about |
| Marsala, rum or coffee liqueur | The NHS recommends not drinking alcohol in pregnancy. Nothing is cooked in a classic tiramisu, so no alcohol is removed; ScienceInsights estimates 0.8 to 3.0 g of pure alcohol per slice | The ingredients list; Sainsbury's Taste the Difference lists Marsala wine at 1.5% plus more in the coffee sauce |
| Coffee | Tommy's advises keeping caffeine under 200mg a day; ScienceInsights puts a typical slice at 30 to 70mg and a heavily soaked one over 100mg | Count the slice alongside tea and coffee that day |
We found no UK health body that gives an alcohol figure for tiramisu. The 0.8 to 3.0 g figure is from a website article with no author named and is an estimate, not a measured value.
Reading a shop-bought tiramisu
The Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Signature Espresso Tiramisu (2 x 90g pots) shows what to look for on a label. Its ingredients list 'Pasteurised Free Range Egg' in the sponge fingers and 'Pasteurised Free Range Egg Yolk' as a separate ingredient, 'Marsala Wine' at 1.5% as another, and the pack says to keep refrigerated, not exceed the use-by date and not freeze. The M&S tiramisu page we read confirms 'Marsala wine mousse' but does not show the egg type or ingredients, so the pack itself is the place to check.
- Egg: look for 'pasteurised egg' or 'pasteurised egg yolk' (Sainsbury's) in the ingredients, or a Lion stamp for homemade.
- Alcohol: Marsala, rum, brandy or liqueur in the ingredients means it contains alcohol that has not been cooked off.
- Dairy: mascarpone 'made with pasteurised milk' is the phrase on Sainsbury's and M&S tubs.
- Date: it is a chilled dessert. Keep it refrigerated and eat it by the use-by date.
Making it at home
| Choice | Egg risk | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lion or Laid in Britain eggs, whisked in raw | Within the NHS rule | Alcohol is still in it unless you leave it out |
| Yolks whisked with sugar over heat to about 71°C (160°F) | Lower, per ScienceInsights | A US-style home method; the NHS does not give one |
| Egg-free (mascarpone and whipped cream only) | No egg risk | Check the mascarpone label and omit the alcohol |
| Unstamped or imported eggs, raw | Outside the NHS rule | Do not use |
Keeping it
The Sainsbury's and M&S mascarpone pages say to use it within 3 days of opening. ScienceInsights says a made tiramisu stays safe about 3 to 4 days at 4°C or below, with some sources saying 5, and should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. The Sainsbury's tiramisu says not to freeze it; M&S mascarpone also says it is not suitable for freezing.
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) — Lion and Laid in Britain eggs raw or runny; mousse and mayonnaise made with raw eggs; pasteurised soft cheeses such as cream cheese safe
- Tommy's: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (last reviewed 6 September 2024) — foods with raw egg such as homemade mayonnaise or mousse avoided unless British Lion
- British Nutrition Foundation: What not to eat when pregnant (reviewed June 2018, revised July 2023) — raw egg foods: check British Lion or thoroughly cooked
- Tommy's: Limiting your caffeine intake in pregnancy — keep caffeine under 200mg a day
- ScienceInsights: Is tiramisu safe to eat? Eggs, caffeine and storage (7 May 2026; no author named) — pasteurised egg main fix; outbreak; 71C yolks; caffeine 30-70mg; alcohol 0.8-3.0 g; storage 3 to 4 days
- Sainsbury's: Taste the Difference Signature Espresso Tiramisu 2 x 90g (product page) — pasteurised egg and yolk; Marsala 1.5%; keep refrigerated; do not freeze
- Marks & Spencer: Tiramisu (product page; ingredients not shown) — Marsala wine mousse; ingredients not shown
- Sainsbury's: Mascarpone full fat soft cheese 250g (product page) — made with pasteurised milk; use within 3 days of opening
- Ocado: M&S Mascarpone (product page) — made with pasteurised milk; 0 to 5C; not suitable for freezing; consume within 3 days
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Check Price →Tiramisu: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| While breastfeeding | Safe |
Common questions
Can I eat tiramisu in the first trimester?
Yes — Lion-stamped Tiramisu are safe at every stage of pregnancy, including the first trimester.
Is a small amount of tiramisu OK during pregnancy?
There is no need to limit Lion-stamped Tiramisu during pregnancy. Eggs are an excellent source of protein, choline and vitamin D.
I accidentally ate tiramisu 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 tiramisu safe in pregnancy?
Yes — thoroughly cooked eggs (firm white and yolk) are safe in pregnancy regardless of where they come from.
Is restaurant tiramisu safe in pregnancy?
Ask what eggs it is made with. The NHS rule is Lion or Laid in Britain eggs for raw egg dishes. If the restaurant cannot say, skip it or choose another dessert. Also ask about the alcohol.
Is the alcohol in tiramisu cooked off?
No. A classic tiramisu is assembled cold, so nothing is cooked. ScienceInsights says refrigeration does not remove it and estimates 0.8 to 3.0 g of alcohol per slice. The NHS recommends not drinking alcohol in pregnancy.
Can I eat mascarpone while pregnant?
The NHS lists pasteurised soft cheeses such as cream cheese as safe but does not name mascarpone. Sainsbury's and M&S mascarpone are labelled as made with pasteurised milk. Check the tub.
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.