Is Eggnog Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated September 9, 2026
The Answer
Yes choose alcohol free eggnog made with pasteurized milk and pasteurized eggs or a properly cooked egg base, and keep it chilled. Ingredient grades cannot confirm pasteurization, alcohol content, or safe handling.
The main concerns are raw or undercooked eggs, unpasteurized dairy, and added alcohol not eggnog itself. For homemade eggnog, use pasteurized dairy and cook the egg mixture to 160°F; alcohol does not reliably sterilize raw eggs. Added sugars, including high fructose corn syrup, make portion size and frequency worth watching, but occasional food exposure is not treated as a cause of birth defects.
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✓ What's Safe
- • Check the exact carton for pasteurization information rather than relying on a brand name, organic claim, or ingredient grade.
- • Choose an alcohol free version and confirm that no rum, brandy, or other alcohol has been added before serving.
- • For homemade eggnog, use pasteurized milk and cream and a food thermometer to confirm the egg mixture reaches 160°F.
- • Keep eggnog chilled and follow the package's use by and after opening storage instructions.
- • Compare added sugars at the same serving size and choose a modest portion rather than frequent large glasses.
✗ What to Avoid
- • Uncooked homemade eggnog made with unpasteurized raw eggs.
- • Eggnog made with unpasteurized milk or cream.
- • Spiked eggnog, including versions with rum or brandy; alcohol is not a substitute for safe egg preparation.
- • Party bowl eggnog when you cannot confirm its ingredients, preparation, or chilled storage.
- • Frequent large servings high in added sugars, including high fructose corn syrup, especially if you have an individualized carbohydrate plan.
Most Common Ingredients in Eggnog Products
We analyzed 244 eggnog products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Eggnog
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 244 eggnog products we analyzed.
high fructose corn syrup
Caution
High fructose corn syrup is a sweet, liquid sweetener made from corn starch, commonly used in processed foods and beverages.
Is not a known teratogen at occasional food amounts, but high added sugar intake can displace nutrients and raise gestational diabetes and metabolic concerns.
Flagged in 89 of 244 products (36%)
yellow 5 6 and red 40
Caution
Yellow 5, 6, and Red 40 are synthetic food colorings commonly used to add vibrant hues to processed foods and beverages.
Has limited human pregnancy data, rare hypersensitivity labeling concerns, and animal/children's neurobehavior signals despite regulated dietary use under ADI based limits.
Flagged in 5 of 244 products (2%)
yellow 5 6
Caution
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is a synthetic yellow dye commonly used to add color to foods and beverages.
Has limited human pregnancy data, rare hypersensitivity labeling concerns, and animal/children's neurobehavior signals despite regulated dietary use under ADI based limits.
Flagged in 4 of 244 products (2%)
Caution
Red 40 is a synthetic food dye commonly used to add vibrant red color to candies, beverages, and processed foods.
Has limited human pregnancy data and is allowed at regulated food additive levels, but child neurobehavior concerns and high dose animal findings make frequent high dye intake worth limiting.
Flagged in 3 of 244 products (1%)
egg nog base high fructose corn syrup
Caution
A sweet, creamy eggnog base made with high fructose corn syrup, providing a rich flavor and smooth texture.
Is not a known teratogen at occasional food amounts, but high added sugar intake can displace nutrients and raise gestational diabetes and metabolic concerns.
Flagged in 2 of 244 products (1%)
fd c red 40
Caution
FD&C Red 40 is a synthetic red dye commonly used to add vibrant color to foods, beverages, and cosmetics.
Has limited human pregnancy data and is allowed at regulated food additive levels, but child neurobehavior concerns and high dose animal findings make frequent high dye intake worth limiting.
Flagged in 2 of 244 products (1%)
hydrogenated soybean oil
Caution
Hydrogenated soybean oil is a processed vegetable oil that has been chemically altered to become solid at room temperature, often used in processed foods to improve texture and shelf life.
Mainly raise concern when partially hydrogenated and high in artificial trans fat; fully hydrogenated oils are mostly a saturated fat limit rather than the same trans fat issue.
Flagged in 2 of 244 products (1%)
and fd c yellow 5
Caution
Has limited human pregnancy data, rare hypersensitivity labeling concerns, and animal/children's neurobehavior signals despite regulated dietary use under ADI based limits.
Flagged in 1 of 244 products (0%)
Eggnog Products We've Analyzed
Our catalog contains ratings for 244 eggnog products. These are database grades, not independent safety certifications.
Grades are ingredient scores, not clinical verdicts or measurements of pathogens, dose, preparation or current package contents. Cohorts include unreviewed catalog records and counts are not independently verified safe-product totals.
Pregnancy Safe Eggnog Products
Popular options from our catalog, prioritizing A and B ingredient grades, with C grade options used to fill remaining places. Within each group, products are ordered by searches in Pregnancy Safe, not retail sales. Read the cautions and guidance above; grades do not verify a complete current label or guarantee pregnancy safety.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| B+ | Southern Comfort Vanilla Spice Egg Nog, Ultra-Pasteurized, Non-Alcoholic | Southern Comfort |
| A | Simple Truth Organic™ Egg Nog | Simple Truth |
| B+ | Old Fashioned Egg Nog Flavored Ultra Pasteurized, Old Fashioned Egg Nog | Private Selection |
| B+ | Holiday Nog | Pepperidge Farm |
| B+ | Pumpkin Spice Eggnog, Pumpkin Spice | Meadow Gold |
Your Questions Answered
Is all eggnog pasteurized?
No do not assume every eggnog is pasteurized, especially homemade versions. Check the exact package for pasteurization information and confirm that it contains no alcohol. If the preparation is unclear, choose another drink rather than guessing.
How can I tell whether store bought eggnog is pasteurized?
Look for a pasteurized or ultra pasteurized statement on the carton or bottle. If the wording does not make the eggnog's treatment clear, ask the manufacturer. An organic label or a high ingredient grade does not establish pasteurization, and alcohol content needs a separate check.
Can I make eggnog at home while pregnant?
Yes, with attention to ingredients and preparation. Use pasteurized milk and cream, leave out alcohol, and cook the egg mixture to 160°F, checking with a food thermometer. Keep the finished eggnog chilled rather than leaving it out for extended serving.
Does adding alcohol make raw egg eggnog safe?
No alcohol does not reliably sterilize eggnog and should not replace pasteurized eggs or proper cooking. Adding rum or brandy also changes an alcohol free drink into an alcoholic one. During pregnancy, choose eggnog without alcohol and address egg and dairy safety separately.
How much eggnog can I drink during pregnancy?
There is no single pregnancy specific serving limit established here for properly prepared, alcohol free eggnog. Keep portions modest and use the label's serving size and added sugar information to guide your choice. High fructose corn syrup is an added sugar, not a known teratogen at occasional food amounts. If you have gestational diabetes, fit the drink's total carbohydrate content into the plan agreed with your care team.
Does an A ingredient grade mean eggnog is safe during pregnancy?
No an ingredient grade does not measure pathogens, preparation, alcohol content, or storage. Our catalog contains 244 eggnog products, including 24 with an A ingredient grade; most have B+ or C+ grades. These are not independently verified safe product totals, and a lower grade does not automatically mean a product is unsafe. Check the current package and how the drink was prepared before choosing it.
How to Interpret These Ratings
Our ingredient and category rules generate letter grades from the information recorded in the catalog. Missing ingredients and broad category assignments can affect the result. These grades do not measure your dose, confirm a complete current label, or test a product for contamination.
A high grade is not a guarantee of pregnancy safety. A low grade is not, by itself, proof of harm from every use. Follow the product-specific guidance above, check the actual package, and ask your prenatal clinician about supplements, treatment decisions or uncertain exposures.
People Also Checked
References
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