can I eat caesar dressing?
Bottled caesar dressing from the supermarket is safe — it's made with pasteurised egg. Traditional caesar dressing made fresh with raw egg yolk is only reliably safe in the UK if made with Lion-stamped eggs; otherwise, it's the one to ask about.
why it matters
An authentic caesar emulsifies raw egg yolk into the dressing, uncooked — so, as with mayonnaise and tiramisu, everything depends on the egg. Shop-bottled dressings sidestep the issue with pasteurised egg. The anchovies in caesar dressing are cured and fine.
how to have it safely
Bottled caesar dressing: always fine. Restaurant caesar: ask whether the dressing is house-made with raw egg — if it is and you're outside the UK Lion system, request a different dressing.
worth knowing
- Anchovies in the dressing are salt-cured and safe — the egg is the only question mark.
- The parmesan on a caesar is a hard cheese and safe, even when made from unpasteurised milk.
- Add-ons matter more than the lettuce: grilled (fully cooked) chicken is safe; cold rotisserie chicken that's sat around, less so.
- US restaurants increasingly use pasteurised egg in house dressings — asking is normal and expected.
common questions
Can I order a chicken caesar salad while pregnant?
Yes, with two quick checks: the chicken should be hot and cooked through, and the dressing either bottled or made with pasteurised/Lion eggs. Most chain restaurants use commercial dressing, which is fine.
Are the anchovies in caesar dressing safe?
Yes — anchovies are salt-cured small fish, low in mercury, and the curing makes them shelf-safe. They're one of the least problematic things on the plate.
also in other foods
Aligned with guidance from the NHS, FDA and WHO. This is general information, not personal medical advice — check with your midwife or doctor about your own situation. How we write.