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Is Mushrooms (shop-bought, cooked) safe in pregnancy?
Generally safe
Shop-bought cooked mushrooms are safe; avoid wild or raw.
What the evidence says
Cultivated mushrooms from supermarkets (white, chestnut, portobello, shiitake, oyster) are safe in pregnancy when thoroughly cooked. Avoid wild-foraged mushrooms entirely unless identified by an expert. Avoid raw mushrooms on salads — they can harbour bacteria and contain natural toxins that are destroyed by cooking.
Why this matters
Cultivated mushrooms are grown under controlled conditions. Wild mushrooms can be toxic if misidentified. Cooking destroys low-level natural compounds in raw mushrooms.
Source:NHS and Food Standards Agency guidance
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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