Is Bacon Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated July 15, 2026
The Answer
Yes, you can eat bacon during pregnancy, but it is a moderate risk meat choice that should be stored safely and cooked thoroughly. Keep portions occasional because bacon is processed meat and often contains nitrite curing salts.
The immediate concern is foodborne illness from bacon that is raw, undercooked, improperly stored, or contaminated during preparation. Many options also contain sodium nitrite; regulated food additive exposure is distinct from toxic exposures, but frequent processed meat intake has limited observational pregnancy concerns. Alcohol containing varieties are best avoided because no amount of beverage ethanol has been established as safe during pregnancy.
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✓ What's Safe
- • Bacon that has remained properly refrigerated and is within its use by date
- • Sealed packaging without leaks, tears, swelling, or unusual discoloration
- • Bacon cooked thoroughly according to package directions and served hot
- • Clear cooking instructions and an ingredient list you can review before buying
- • Options without added alcohol, liquor, wine, beer, or spirits
- • Less frequent, moderate portions rather than making processed meat an everyday food
✗ What to Avoid
- • Raw, partially cooked, or cold bacon that has not been fully cooked as directed
- • Packages that are damaged, leaking, swollen, expired, or improperly refrigerated
- • Cross contamination from raw bacon, including unwashed hands, utensils, boards, and countertops
- • Leaving cooked or uncooked bacon unrefrigerated for extended periods
- • Frequent or large servings of cured and processed meat, particularly products containing sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate
- • Bacon flavored with bourbon, whisky, beer, wine, ethyl alcohol, or other alcoholic ingredients
Most Common Ingredients in Bacon Products
We analyzed 1,730 bacon products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Bacon
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 1,730 bacon products we analyzed.
sodium nitrite
CAUTION
Sodium nitrite is a curing salt and preservative used mainly in cured meats and some cured fish. Is regulated at low food additive levels, but frequent cured or processed meat intake has limited observational pregnancy concerns; cyanide antidote and contaminated water exposures are separate issues.
Found in 1306 of 1,730 products (75%)
sodium nitrate
CAUTION
Sodium nitrate is naturally occurring nitrogen compounds found in vegetables and drinking water and used in cured meats. Is context dependent because vegetable sources are generally compatible with pregnancy while contaminated well water above nitrate/nitrite limits can cause methemoglobinemia and has observational links to adverse birth outcomes.
Found in 19 of 1,730 products (1%)
ethyl alcohol
AVOID
Ethyl alcohol is beverage ethanol found in beer, wine, liquor, cocktails, and similar drinks. Has no established safe amount in pregnancy and is linked to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Found in 7 of 1,730 products (0%)
red 3
CAUTION
Red 3 is a synthetic cherry red food dye also known as FD&C Red No. 3 and E127. Has limited human pregnancy outcome data and is being phased out of U.S. foods and ingested drugs after high dose male rat thyroid tumor findings.
Found in 7 of 1,730 products (0%)
sodium nitrite coated withspices
CAUTION
Sodium nitrite coated withspices is a curing salt and preservative used mainly in cured meats and some cured fish. Is regulated at low food additive levels, but frequent cured or processed meat intake has limited observational pregnancy concerns; cyanide antidote and contaminated water exposures are separate issues.
Found in 5 of 1,730 products (0%)
fenugreek
CAUTION
Fenugreek is an herb and culinary spice also sold as a lactation or glucose support supplement. Is generally lower concern in normal food amounts but medicinal doses are not recommended in pregnancy due to limited data plus uterine stimulant and reproductive toxicity signals.
Found in 4 of 1,730 products (0%)
and sodium nitrite
CAUTION
And sodium nitrite is a curing salt and preservative used mainly in cured meats and some cured fish. Is regulated at low food additive levels, but frequent cured or processed meat intake has limited observational pregnancy concerns; cyanide antidote and contaminated water exposures are separate issues.
Found in 3 of 1,730 products (0%)
juniper berry oil
CAUTION
Juniper berry oil is an essential oil from juniper berry cones used in aromatherapy fragrance cosmetics and herbal products. Has limited pregnancy data and should be avoided as an oral or concentrated essential oil because of uterine anti implantation abortifacient and kidney irritation concerns.
Found in 3 of 1,730 products (0%)
Bacon Products We've Analyzed
We graded 1,730 bacon products for pregnancy safety. 329 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Bacon Products
We found 20 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Applegate Natural Hickory Smoked Uncured Turkey Bacon 8Oz | Applegate |
| A | Hickory Smoked Uncured Turkey Bacon | Columbus Craft Meats |
| A | Black Pepper Naturally Hardwood Smoked Uncured Turkey Bacon, Black Pepper | H E-B |
| A | Bacon | Coleman |
| A | Fully Cooked Uncured Bacon | Trader Joe'S |
Your Questions Answered
Can you eat bacon while pregnant?
Yes, bacon can be eaten during pregnancy when it has been stored safely and cooked thoroughly. The category carries moderate risk because raw or undercooked meat can cause foodborne illness. Bacon is also processed meat, so occasional portions are a more cautious choice than frequent intake.
How should bacon be cooked during pregnancy?
Follow the package directions and cook bacon thoroughly before eating it. Serve it hot, and avoid tasting it while it is still raw or partly cooked. Use separate utensils and surfaces for raw bacon, then wash your hands and preparation area.
What meats are not good for pregnancy?
Avoid raw or undercooked meat, including bacon that has not been fully cooked. Meat should reach the applicable safe temperature: poultry 165°F, ground meat 160°F, and whole cuts 145°F followed by a three minute rest. Also avoid meat that was stored improperly or may have been cross contaminated.
Is ham on pizza okay when pregnant?
Cured meat such as ham is a more cautious choice when the pizza is thoroughly cooked and served hot. The same principle applies to bacon toppings: they should be fully cooked rather than added raw or left lukewarm. Proper cooking reduces foodborne risk, but it does not change the fact that these are processed meats.
Are nitrates and nitrites in bacon safe during pregnancy?
Sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate are regulated curing ingredients, but frequent processed meat intake has limited observational pregnancy concerns. This is not the same exposure as high nitrate levels in contaminated well water or sodium nitrite used medically. If you want to limit exposure, compare ingredient lists and keep cured meat portions occasional.
Is uncured bacon automatically safer during pregnancy?
Not necessarily. An “uncured” label does not replace safe refrigeration, clean handling, and thorough cooking. Some such products use celery powder, so review the complete ingredient list rather than relying only on the front label.
What if I ate undercooked bacon while pregnant?
One exposure does not establish that harm occurred, but undercooked meat can carry foodborne pathogens. Monitor for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or significant abdominal discomfort. Contact your prenatal clinician promptly if symptoms develop or if you are concerned about the amount or condition of the bacon.
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.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains ingredients with established risks during pregnancy. Research shows these can cause birth defects, developmental harm, or serious maternal complications.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
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References
- https://www.foodsafety.gov/food safety charts/safe minimum internal temperatures
- https://hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?id=SODIUMNITRITE&set=FoodSubstances
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-9/section-424.21
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-172.175
- https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/170615
- https://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v50je07.htm
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41248583/
- https://www.cdc.gov/food safety/foods/pregnant women.html
- https://publications.iarc.who.int/Book And Report Series/Iarc Monographs On The Identification Of Carcinogenic Hazards To Humans/Red Meat And Processed Meat-2018
- https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=52f01c6e-172a-47a9-98a6-9eab7651a032
- https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp204.pdf
- https://www.epa.gov/ground water and drinking water/national primary drinking water regulations
- https://www.epa.gov/children/private wells and drinking water safety and infants
- https://archive.cdc.gov/www_atsdr_cdc_gov/csem/nitrate nitrite/who_risk.html
- https://doh.wa.gov/community and environment/drinking water/contaminants/nitrate
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9834225/
- https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/689
- https://www.food.gov.uk/safety hygiene/nitrates and nitrites the science explained
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter I/subchapter B/part-172/subpart B/section-172.175
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol pregnancy/about/index.html