Processed Meats During Pregnancy: Safety Guide 2026

Quick Answer (Processed Meats)

Use caution. Processed meats (deli meat, hot dogs, cured meats) can carry listeria risk when eaten cold or under-heated.

For a safer option, heat processed meats until steaming hot (165°F) and eat them right away.

Why Processed Meats Are Riskier in Pregnancy

Listeria can grow at refrigerator temperatures and is more dangerous in pregnancy.

Risk is higher for ready-to-eat meats eaten cold (sandwiches, charcuterie).

How to Make Processed Meats Safer

Heat deli meats and hot dogs until steaming hot (165°F).

Avoid deli counters if you can’t confirm cold-chain and freshness.

Store promptly, keep your fridge cold, and follow use-by dates.

Safer Protein Alternatives

Freshly cooked chicken, turkey, eggs cooked through, beans/lentils, tofu, and pasteurized dairy are often safer choices.

FAQ

Processed meats: the 'heat until steaming' rule

Hot dogs, deli slices, salami and other processed meats share one pregnancy rule: they can carry listeria, and the answer is heat. Cold from the pack they're best avoided, but heated until steaming hot they're safe, because listeria doesn't survive proper heat.

So you can still enjoy them when heated properly: a hot dog cooked until steaming, deli meat crisped in a pan. It's the cold cuts that are best skipped for now. Our individual deli meat and hot dogs guides go deeper on each.

• Heated until steaming hot: safe
• Cold, straight-from-the-pack: best avoided
• Reheat leftovers with meat until piping hot too
• Keep everything well chilled and in date

a food thermometer makes 'steaming hot' certain, and a daily prenatal vitamin covers the nutrition whatever you choose.