Is Deli meat safe during pregnancy?
OK in pregnancy only when heated to 165°F or until steaming hot (like a toasted or hot sandwich). Cold deli meat is a Listeria risk.
What the sources say
CDC and FDA advise people who are pregnant to avoid unheated deli meats, cold cuts and luncheon meats and to eat them only reheated to 165°F or until steaming hot, because of Listeria. CDC estimates 1 in 4 pregnant people who get listeriosis lose the pregnancy or the baby shortly after birth, and Listeria can harm the baby even if the parent doesn't feel very sick. Microwaving a sandwich filling until steaming, or a hot panini, works. No special restriction while breastfeeding (CDC).
Common alternatives
Also listed as
lunch meat, lunchmeat, cold cuts, luncheon meat, sliced turkey, deli turkey, sliced ham, deli ham, roast beef deli, bologna, pastrami, corned beef
Sources
- CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women
- CDC: Preventing Listeria Infection
- CDC: People at Increased Risk for Listeria Infection
- FDA: People at Risk of Foodborne Illness
- FDA: Food Safety for Moms-to-Be At-a-Glance
- Mayo Clinic: Pregnancy nutrition: Foods to avoid during pregnancy
- CDC: Maternal Diet and Breastfeeding
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.