Is Hot dogs safe during pregnancy?
Fine when heated until steaming hot (165°F) all the way through. Don't eat them cold straight from the package.
PregnancyUse with care
BreastfeedingGenerally safe
EvidenceStrong
What the sources say
CDC and FDA list unheated hot dogs as a Listeria risk in pregnancy and advise eating them only when heated to 165°F or until steaming hot. Mayo Clinic adds: cook hot dogs until steaming hot or skip them. No special restriction while breastfeeding (CDC).
Common alternatives
Also listed as
hot dog, frankfurter, frankfurters, franks, wieners, wiener, corn dog, chili dog, beef franks, turkey hot dogs, vienna sausage
Sources
- CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women
- CDC: Preventing 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.