Buttermilk
Shop-bought buttermilk is safe during pregnancy, since it's made from pasteurised milk, the same as regular milk.
Last updated: October 2026 Cross-checked against NHS guidance
Buttermilk sold in UK and US supermarkets today is a cultured product — pasteurised milk fermented with bacterial cultures to give it its tangy flavour and thicker texture — rather than the traditional liquid left over from churning butter, though both forms are made from pasteurised milk commercially. This makes it safe to drink or cook with throughout pregnancy, the same as any pasteurised dairy product. Buttermilk is commonly used in baking (pancakes, scones, soda bread) and in marinades, and cooking or baking with it provides an extra layer of safety on top of the pasteurisation itself. As with other dairy products, the only thing to check for is a specialist or farm-shop buttermilk made from unpasteurised milk, which is uncommon but would carry the standard raw-milk Listeria caution — any mainstream supermarket buttermilk is pasteurised and safe.
What to be aware of
- Shop-bought, pasteurised buttermilk is safe for drinking, baking, and cooking throughout pregnancy.
- Check the label if buying from a specialist dairy or farm shop to confirm it's pasteurised — mainstream supermarket buttermilk always is.
- Buttermilk used in baked goods (pancakes, scones, soda bread) is safe, with baking providing additional heat on top of pasteurisation.