Muka · Pregnancy guide
Can I Eat Runny Eggs While Pregnant?
Updated June 2026 · based on NHS and official food-safety guidance
UK hens that lay British Lion (red lion stamp) eggs are vaccinated against salmonella, so the NHS says you can eat these runny, soft-boiled or even raw. US agencies (CDC, FDA and ACOG) have no equivalent scheme and advise cooking both yolk and white until firm, because raw or undercooked eggs can carry Salmonella, which can cause food poisoning that hits harder in pregnancy. Non-Lion or unstamped eggs should always be cooked through.
A soft-boiled egg with toast soldiers, or a perfectly runny fried yolk, is one of those small pleasures you might suddenly second-guess once you are pregnant. The honest answer is that it depends on which country you are in and where the egg came from. The concern is Salmonella, a bacterium that can live in raw or undercooked eggs and cause food poisoning, which can be more severe during pregnancy. The good news is that the UK has updated its advice for certain eggs, while the US keeps a firmer line. Here is exactly what the NHS, CDC, FDA and ACOG say so you can decide with confidence. For a specific product, the Muka app gives you a verdict in 3 seconds by barcode scan or photo.
Runny eggs in pregnancy: what is safe
| Egg or dish | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Runny or soft-boiled British Lion egg (UK, red lion stamp) | Safe | The NHS says red-lion-stamped eggs can be eaten raw, partially cooked or runny because the hens are vaccinated against salmonella and the eggs are tested. |
| Runny or soft-boiled egg without a Lion stamp (UK or US) | Avoid | Eggs not produced under the British Lion scheme should be cooked until white and yolk are firm; US agencies apply this to all eggs to avoid Salmonella. |
| Runny or soft-boiled egg in the US | Avoid | CDC, FDA and ACOG advise cooking eggs until both yolk and white are firm. There is no US safety stamp equivalent to the British Lion mark. |
| Fully cooked egg, firm yolk and white (anywhere) | Safe | Once both the white and yolk are solid, any Salmonella is destroyed, so hard-boiled, well-fried and firmly scrambled eggs are safe everywhere. |
| Pasteurised egg in uncooked dishes (mayo, mousse, dressing) | Safe | Pasteurised eggs are heated to kill bacteria without cooking, so the CDC recommends them for foods that will not be cooked further, like mousse and salad dressing. |
| Homemade Caesar dressing, hollandaise, mayo or eggnog from raw eggs | Avoid | These often use raw, unpasteurised eggs that are never cooked, a known Salmonella risk; use pasteurised eggs or shop versions instead. |
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Download Muka on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
Are soft-boiled eggs safe during pregnancy?
It depends on the egg. In the UK, soft-boiled eggs are safe if they carry the red British Lion stamp, because those hens are vaccinated against salmonella. In the US, the CDC, FDA and ACOG advise cooking eggs until the yolk and white are firm, so soft-boiled eggs are best avoided there.
What are British Lion eggs and how do I spot them?
British Lion eggs carry a small red lion logo stamped on the shell, and often on the box. The hens are vaccinated against salmonella and the eggs are regularly tested. The NHS says these eggs can safely be eaten raw, runny or partially cooked during pregnancy, including soft-boiled.
Why does the US say cook eggs until firm when the UK allows runny?
The UK has the British Lion scheme, where vaccination and testing dramatically cut salmonella risk, so the NHS allows runny Lion eggs. The US has no equivalent national scheme, so the CDC, FDA and ACOG keep one simple rule: cook eggs until both the yolk and white are firm.
I ate a runny egg while pregnant, should I worry?
Try not to panic. If it was a UK British Lion egg, NHS advice considers it safe. If it was an unstamped or US egg, the risk from a single egg is still low. Watch for fever, vomiting or diarrhoea over the next few days, and call your midwife or doctor if you feel unwell.
Can I eat runny eggs in restaurants while pregnant?
In the UK, most caterers use British Lion eggs, but you can ask to be sure. In the US, ask for eggs cooked until firm, since restaurant eggs may not be pasteurised. When you cannot confirm the source, choosing a well-cooked egg is the safest option.
Sources
- NHS — Foods to avoid in pregnancy: nhs.uk
See also: how Muka works, the pregnancy food scanner that answers “can I eat this while pregnant?”.