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Is Hollandaise sauce safe in pregnancy?
Safe with limits
Only safe if made with British Lion or pasteurised eggs.
What the evidence says
Traditional hollandaise is made with barely-cooked egg yolks, which is only safe in pregnancy when British Lion eggs are used. Most restaurant hollandaise is unlikely to specify Lion eggs — ask before ordering eggs Benedict. Shop-bought pre-made hollandaise is pasteurised and safe.
Why this matters
Hollandaise egg yolks are warmed but not cooked enough to destroy Salmonella in non-Lion eggs.
Source:NHS guidance on eggs in pregnancy
Last reviewed:April 2026
Please note — This is general guidance based on NHS advice as of April 2026. It is not medical advice. For advice on your specific pregnancy, please speak to your midwife or GP.
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