Can you eat raw cookie dough while pregnant?
It’s not just the raw egg — raw flour can carry E. coli too.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Christopher Sterling, obstetrician ·
The short answer
No. Raw cookie dough and cake batter can contain salmonella from raw eggs and E. coli from raw flour. Bake it first, or buy edible cookie dough made with heat-treated flour and no raw egg.
Why it matters
Flour is a raw agricultural product. It isn’t treated to kill germs, and E. coli outbreaks have been traced to flour and raw dough.
Raw or undercooked eggs can carry salmonella. Food poisoning in pregnancy can cause dehydration and, rarely, trigger complications.
What to do
- Resist licking the spoon or bowl while baking.
- Buy “edible” cookie dough made with heat-treated flour and no raw egg.
- Don’t use raw flour in no-bake desserts or smoothies.
Common questions
Is store-bought edible cookie dough safe while pregnant?
Products labelled as ready to eat, made with heat-treated flour and no raw egg, are designed to be eaten raw.
Sources
Medically reviewed by Dr. Christopher Sterling, obstetrician, on against the sources above. Guidance can differ between countries — always follow the advice of your own midwife, doctor or pharmacist. Medical disclaimer.
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