Can you eat deli meat while pregnant?

Many providers suggest avoiding cold deli meat because of Listeria risk. Heating it until steaming hot is generally considered a safer option. Ask your provider what fits your situation.

Is it safe to eat deli meat during pregnancy?

It depends on how it is prepared. Deli meat heated until steaming hot is generally considered safer than cold deli meat, which carries a small Listeria risk during pregnancy.

Is deli meat safe to eat during pregnancy?

Cold deli meat carries a small risk of Listeria, a germ that can be serious in pregnancy. Many providers suggest heating it until steaming hot before eating. Check with your provider about your own needs.

Is deli meat safe during pregnancy if it is heated?

Heating deli meat until it is steaming hot, about 165°F according to FDA guidance, is generally considered a safer way to eat it during pregnancy. Ask your provider if you have questions.

Can I eat deli meat while pregnant?

Key points

Cold deli meat can carry Listeria, which is rare but serious in pregnancy.
The FDA advises heating deli meats until steaming hot (165°F) before eating.
Call a provider right away if you have fever, chills, or muscle aches after eating deli meat.

Why it matters

Listeria is a germ that can grow in refrigerated foods, including deli meats, hot dogs, and some sliced meats. Pregnancy changes the immune system, so pregnant people are more likely to get a serious infection called listeriosis.

Listeriosis is uncommon, but it can affect the pregnancy and the baby even when the mother feels only mildly sick.

What is generally OK and what is not

Many providers suggest these options:

Generally considered safer: deli meat heated until it is steaming hot (165°F, per FDA guidance), or meat that was cooked fresh at home and eaten right away.
Less advised: cold or room-temperature deli meat, including sandwiches, wraps, and charcuterie.
Ask your provider: other chilled, ready-to-eat meats, pâtés, and refrigerated smoked seafood, since guidance on these varies.

Practical tips

Many providers suggest these habits during pregnancy:

Heat deli meat or hot dogs until steaming hot before eating them.
Check labels and ask the deli counter how long meats have been held.
Use a fridge thermometer to keep the fridge cold, since Listeria can grow at refrigerator temperatures.
Ask your provider how these tips fit your own health and diet, because advice can differ from person to person.

If you already ate deli meat

Many people eat cold deli meat during pregnancy and have no problems. A single past meal is not usually cause for alarm, but it is a good idea to mention it at your next visit.

If you have any flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, or upset stomach, many providers suggest reaching out to them promptly rather than waiting.

When to contact your provider

Contact your provider right away if you have a fever, chills, muscle aches, or other flu-like symptoms after eating deli meat or other chilled, ready-to-eat foods. Seek urgent care if you have a stiff neck, confusion, or severe symptoms.

Questions people ask

Sources

General information only; it does not replace advice from your doctor or midwife.