Can you eat custard when pregnant?

In this article, we will answer the question “Can you eat custard when pregnant?”, and what are the popular pasteurized custard brands?

Can you eat custard when pregnant?

It depends on the ingredients of the custard. Pregnant women cannot eat homemade or any store-bought custard or related product that contains unpasteurized egg, milk, cream or buttermilk, etc.

Does custard have raw eggs in it?

Egg yolks impart thickness and rich flavor to the custard. If the eggs are not pasteurized before cooking them in custard, pregnant women should refrain from eating the custard. The same goes for the cream and milk used in the custard. 

Though the custard is cooked until it thickens, the eggs do not reach a safe cooking temperature. 

Is custard always pasteurized?

Store-bought or commercially made custard is always pasteurized. All the dairy and poultry ingredients added to the branded custard are pasteurized. Such types of custard are usually sold in a tub or can and are labeled ‘shelf-stable’. 

It is your responsibility to read the label and make sure the custard contains pasteurized ingredients. 

Custard kept in the refrigerated section of the grocery store also contains pasteurized ingredients. However, it is better to err on the side of caution and read the label before buying.

What type of custards should pregnant women avoid?

Restaurant-made fresh custards or homemade custards that do not contain pasteurized ingredients should be strictly avoided during pregnancy. Such foods pose a serious threat to Salmonella poisoning. 

Make one exception here for the “Lion Mark” eggs sold in the UK. They are not pasteurized but the products made using these eggs can be safely consumed during pregnancy.

Ambrosia Devon Custard: This brand sold custard made using milk and buttermilk only. It does not contain eggs and the dairy ingredients used in the making are pasteurized. This means that Ambrosia Devon custard is safe to eat for pregnant women.

Powdered Custard (e.g. Birds Custard): Powdered custard does not contain egg powder. You can safely eat custard made from each powder if the milk used in its making was pasteurized.

Pauls custard: Eggs and all the dairy ingredients used in the making of this Australian custard brand are pasteurized. Hence, this custard is safe for pregnant women. If you are allergic to eggs, you can find their eggless custard.

Anchor custard: This Newzeland brand uses all pasteurized ingredients and is safe for pregnant women.

Supermarket custard: Any supermarket custard, whether fresh or sold in cans or tubs, is safe for pregnant women as long as it contains pasteurized ingredients and its label confirms it.

Products containing custard and their safety in pregnancy

Custard pie or custard tarts: Custard pies or tarts with a fully set egg are safe to eat for pregnant women. Tarts or pies with runny eggs or wobbly textures are dangerous. Check the safety of these baked products by inserting a toothpick in the center of the pie or tart. It should come out dry. 

Custard donuts: You need to ask the manufacturer if they use pasteurized eggs for making the custard filling for their donuts. If the ingredients of the custard donuts are pasteurized, you can safely consume them during pregnancy.

Custard and fruit salad: As long as the fruits come from a tin and the custard is powdered, this UK specialty is safe to eat during pregnancy. Fruit custard salad made using fresh fruits is highly likely to contain Listeria.

What type of dairy and poultry you should eat or avoid during pregnancy?

Food FormWhat to do?
Cheese Soft and semi-soft cheese, e.g, brie, camembert, ricotta, fetta, blue, etc.

Processed cheese, cheese spreads, cottage cheese, cream cheese, etc.
Hard cheese, e.g, cheddar, tasty cheese
Can be eaten only if cooked to a minimum safe temperature of 75℃ and as soon as possible.
Eat within 2 days of opening and refrigeration

Refrigerate  
Ice-cream Soft serve Fried ice-creamPackaged frozen ice-creamDo not eat Do not eat Keep and eat frozen 
Dairy Unpasteurized (raw)
Pasteurized, eg, milk, cream, yogurt
Do not drink or use
Store properly and check the best-by or use-by date before drinking or using
Eggs Cooked egg dishes, eg. fried eggs, scrambled eggs, quiche
Raw in food, eg. home-made mayonnaise, aioli, chocolate mousse, cake batter, pancake batter
In non-refrigerated commercial products, eg. mayonnaise, aioli
Eat only when cooked to at least 71℃. Reject cracked or dirty eggs
Do not eat






Store property and check use-by or best-by before using

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question “Can you eat custard when pregnant?”, and what are the popular pasteurized custard brands?

References

https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/consumer/life-events-and-food/pregnancy/foods-to-eat-or-avoid-when-pregnant

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