Is Premade deli salads safe during pregnancy?
Skip premade deli-counter salads in pregnancy (Listeria risk). Homemade versions kept cold are the safer swap.
What the sources say
CDC lists premade deli salads such as coleslaw, potato salad, tuna salad, chicken salad and egg salad as riskier choices in pregnancy and recommends homemade versions instead. Mayo Clinic gives the same advice for ready-made meat and seafood salads. Keep homemade salads refrigerated and don't leave them out more than 2 hours. No special restriction while breastfeeding (CDC).
Common alternatives
Also listed as
deli salad, premade tuna salad, tuna salad, chicken salad, egg salad, ham salad, seafood salad, crab salad, potato salad, coleslaw, macaroni salad, store-bought chicken salad
Sources
- CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women
- CDC: Preventing Listeria Infection
- 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.