Is Bacon Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)

Updated July 15, 2026

The Answer

Bacon can be eaten during pregnancy with moderate caution when it is cooked to the appropriate safe temperature. Limit repeated exposure to products containing sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate, since the concerns provided relate primarily to high exposures.

The main immediate consideration is cooking bacon thoroughly: poultry products should reach 165°F, while whole cuts of meat should reach 145°F followed by a three minute rest. Many bacon products contain sodium nitrite, a curing preservative associated with fetal oxygen and neural tube concerns at high exposures, so check labels and moderate how often you eat it.

Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.

✓ What's Safe

  • • Bacon that can be cooked fully and served immediately after cooking
  • • Poultry bacon cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F
  • • Whole cut meat cooked to at least 145°F and rested for three minutes
  • • Ingredient lists without sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate when you want to reduce exposure
  • • Simpler formulations without ethyl alcohol, fenugreek, or juniper derived ingredients
  • • Higher graded options; we reviewed 321 A grade products among 1,712 bacon products

✗ What to Avoid

  • • Raw or undercooked bacon
  • • Poultry bacon that has not reached 165°F
  • • Whole cut meat served below 145°F or without the three minute rest
  • • Frequent or high exposure to bacon containing sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate
  • • Products listing ethyl alcohol, because prenatal alcohol exposure should be avoided
  • • Products containing fenugreek or concentrated juniper ingredients, which carry pregnancy cautions in the available ingredient data

Most Common Ingredients in Bacon Products

We analyzed 1,712 bacon products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:

salt
83%
sodium nitrite
76%
sodium erythorbate
67%
sugar
64%
sodium phosphate
50%
water
40%
cured withwater
28%
sodium phosphates
25%
cured with water
20%
flavoring
17%
sea salt
17%
pork
15%

Ingredients to Watch Out For in Bacon

These are the most common flagged ingredients across 1,712 bacon products we analyzed.

sodium nitrite

CAUTION

Sodium nitrite is a preservative used to cure meats. May cause fetal hypoxia and has been associated with neural tube defects at high exposures.

Found in 1293 of 1,712 products (76%)

sodium nitrate

CAUTION

Sodium nitrate is compounds used as food preservatives and found in water. May impair fetal oxygen availability and are associated with preterm birth at high exposure levels.

Found in 19 of 1,712 products (1%)

ethyl alcohol

AVOID

Ethyl alcohol is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.

Found in 6 of 1,712 products (0%)

juniper berries

CAUTION

Juniper berries is an essential oil from juniper berries. May have uterine stimulating effects and is traditionally avoided during pregnancy.

Found in 6 of 1,712 products (0%)

sodium nitrite coated withspices

CAUTION

Sodium nitrite coated withspices is a preservative used to cure meats. May cause fetal hypoxia and has been associated with neural tube defects at high exposures.

Found in 5 of 1,712 products (0%)

fenugreek

AVOID

Fenugreek is a legume seed used as a spice and for lactation support. Has been associated with neural tube defects and may stimulate uterine contractions.

Found in 4 of 1,712 products (0%)

and sodium nitrite

CAUTION

And sodium nitrite is a preservative used to cure meats. May cause fetal hypoxia and has been associated with neural tube defects at high exposures.

Found in 3 of 1,712 products (0%)

juniper berry oil

CAUTION

Juniper berry oil is an essential oil from juniper berries. May have uterine stimulating effects and is traditionally avoided during pregnancy.

Found in 3 of 1,712 products (0%)

Bacon Products We've Analyzed

We graded 1,712 bacon products for pregnancy safety. 321 received an A grade.

A
321 (19%)
B
27 (2%)
C
1,351 (79%)
D
0 (0%)
F
13 (1%)

Pregnancy Safe Bacon Products

We found 321 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.

Grade Product Brand
A Hickory Smoked Uncured Turkey Bacon Columbus Craft Meats
A Uncured Turkey Bacon Applegate Naturals
A Wegmans, Fully Cooked Uncured Turkey Bacon —
A Black Pepper Naturally Hardwood Smoked Uncured Turkey Bacon, Black Pepper H E-B
A Original Uncured Bacon Hormel

Your Questions Answered

Can you eat bacon while pregnant?

Yes, bacon can fit into pregnancy with moderate caution when it is cooked to the appropriate safe temperature. Poultry bacon should reach 165°F, while whole cuts should reach 145°F and rest for three minutes. Check the ingredient list as well, because sodium nitrite is common and its pregnancy concerns relate mainly to high exposure.

Does bacon need to be fully cooked during pregnancy?

Bacon should not be eaten raw or undercooked during pregnancy. Use the applicable meat temperature rather than relying only on color or texture: 165°F for poultry and 145°F plus a three minute rest for whole cuts. Follow the package directions when the product’s meat type or preparation is unclear.

Are nitrates and nitrites in bacon unsafe during pregnancy?

Sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate are curing preservatives that warrant caution. The available risk information associates high exposures with reduced fetal oxygen availability and outcomes such as neural tube defects or preterm birth. It does not establish that an occasional serving causes those outcomes, and no specific safe serving threshold is provided, so reducing repeated exposure is a practical approach.

Is uncured bacon automatically a safer choice?

The word “uncured” alone does not establish a product’s pregnancy safety or grade. Read the full ingredient list and look specifically for sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, and other flagged ingredients. Cooking requirements still apply regardless of the curing claim.

What meats are not good for pregnancy?

Raw or undercooked meat is the clearest concern reflected in this category’s safety information. Poultry should reach 165°F, ground meat 160°F, and whole cuts 145°F followed by a three minute rest. For processed meats such as bacon, also review preservatives and limit repeated exposure to flagged ingredients.

Is ham on pizza okay when pregnant?

The same temperature based approach applies to meat toppings such as ham. Make sure the meat is thoroughly heated and that its applicable safe internal temperature has been reached. If the exact meat type or preparation is uncertain, check the package or preparation instructions rather than assuming a hot surface means the meat is fully cooked.

What should I avoid in bacon during the first trimester?

Avoid raw or undercooked bacon throughout pregnancy, including the first trimester. Also avoid ethyl alcohol and products containing fenugreek, while using caution with sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, and concentrated juniper ingredients. The nitrite and nitrate concerns described here are tied mainly to high exposure, so do not interpret them as proof that a single serving causes harm.

How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?

We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.

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References

  1. https://www.foodsafety.gov/food safety charts/safe minimum internal temperatures
  2. https://chemm.hhs.gov/countermeasure_sodium nitrite.htm
  3. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/zeb.2012.0746
  4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1392223/
  5. https://oehha.ca.gov/sites/default/files/media/downloads/crnr/sodnithid.pdf