Is Chicken Salad Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 25, 2026
The Answer
Yes, with caution. Chicken salad can be safe during pregnancy when made fresh at home with fully cooked chicken, but premade deli chicken salads should be avoided due to listeria risk.
Chicken salad poses potential food safety concerns during pregnancy primarily due to listeria and salmonella risks. Premade deli chicken salads are specifically flagged by the FDA as foods pregnant women should avoid because they may sit at unsafe temperatures and harbor harmful bacteria. Homemade versions with properly cooked chicken and pasteurized ingredients are a safer choice.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Freshly made at home with chicken cooked to 165°F internal temperature
- • Mayonnaise made with pasteurized eggs or commercial mayo (which uses pasteurized eggs)
- • Fresh vegetables that have been thoroughly washed
- • Proper refrigeration - kept at 40°F or below and consumed within 3-4 days
- • Safe throughout all trimesters when prepared properly at home
✗ What to Avoid
- • Premade deli chicken salad from grocery store delis or restaurants
- • Chicken salad that has been sitting out at room temperature for more than 2 hours
- • Homemade mayo made with raw eggs - use commercial mayo instead
- • Chicken salad with soft unpasteurized cheeses or raw sprouts added
- • Any chicken salad where you're unsure how long it's been stored or at what temperature
Most Common Ingredients in Chicken Salad Products
We analyzed 14 chicken salad products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Chicken Salad
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 14 chicken salad products we analyzed.
sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate is a food preservative in beverages and processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses and may form benzene when combined with vitamin C.
Found in 3 of 14 products (21%)
sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 3 of 14 products (21%)
high fructose corn syrup
CAUTION
High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch and widely used in processed foods and beverages. Has been associated with placental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and metabolic programming of offspring in animal studies, and with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in epidemiological studies of humans.
Found in 2 of 14 products (14%)
potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate preservatives
CAUTION
Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate preservatives is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 2 of 14 products (14%)
sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate preservatives
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate preservatives is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 2 of 14 products (14%)
aluminum potassium sulfate
CAUTION
Aluminum potassium sulfate is a common metal found in food, cookware, antiperspirants, antacids, and vaccine adjuvants. Has been associated with reduced fetal growth, neural tube defects, and congenital heart defects at elevated exposure levels.
Found in 1 of 14 products (7%)
Chicken Salad Products We've Analyzed
We graded 14 chicken salad products for pregnancy safety. 3 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Chicken Salad Products
We found 3 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | White Meat Chicken Salad, White Meat Chicken | Hannaford |
| A | Buffalo Style Chicken Salad | Willow Tree |
| A | Brookdale Chicken Salad With Crackers | Brookdale |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat chicken salad?
Yes, pregnant women can eat chicken salad when it's prepared safely. The key is ensuring the chicken is fully cooked to 165°F, using pasteurized mayonnaise, and either making it fresh at home or eating it immediately after preparation. Avoid premade deli chicken salads, as the FDA specifically recommends pregnant women skip these due to potential listeria contamination from improper storage temperatures.
What are the risks of chicken salad during pregnancy?
The main risks are listeria and salmonella contamination. Listeria is particularly dangerous during pregnancy as it can cross the placenta and cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious infection in newborns. Premade chicken salads from delis are higher risk because they may sit at unsafe temperatures. Salmonella from undercooked chicken can cause severe illness. These risks are minimized when chicken salad is made fresh at home with proper food safety practices.
Is it okay to eat chicken salad while pregnant?
It's okay to eat chicken salad while pregnant if you take proper precautions. Make sure the chicken is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 165°F to kill bacteria. Use commercial mayonnaise which contains pasteurized eggs. Avoid deli prepared chicken salads and opt for homemade versions where you control the ingredients and freshness. When eating out, it's safest to skip chicken salad entirely since you can't verify how it was prepared or stored.
Is store bought chicken salad safe during pregnancy?
Store bought premade chicken salad from deli counters is not recommended during pregnancy. The FDA advises pregnant women to avoid premade meat salads like deli chicken salad due to listeria risk. However, sealed, commercially packaged chicken salad that has been continuously refrigerated may be safer since it's produced under stricter food safety controls. When in doubt, making chicken salad at home is the safest option.
How should I store chicken salad when pregnant?
Store homemade chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. Consume within 3-4 days for best safety. Never leave chicken salad at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F). If you're packing chicken salad for lunch, use an insulated bag with ice packs to keep it cold until eating. When reheating isn't an option, keeping it properly chilled is essential for food safety during pregnancy.
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.
References
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11921639/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26014016/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9003278/
- https://motherfigure.com/safe skincare/sodium benzoate/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bdrb.20187
- https://millionmarker.com/pages/pregnancy fertility chemical sodium benzoate
- https://turkishneurosurgery.org.tr/pdf.php?id=1502
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3114665/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006291X18312488
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/what to know about sodium benzoate
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sodium benzoate
- https://mothertobaby.org/studies/ut refer gastro/?print=print
- https://hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?set=FoodSubstances&id=SODIUMBENZOATE
- https://www.mondstar.com/buying guide/sodium benzoate buying guide/
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13102818.2016.1224979
- https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical guidance/committee opinion/articles/2017/08/antenatal corticosteroid therapy for fetal maturation
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3821876/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-62131-7
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582985/
- https://www.mandysacher.com/blogs/6toppreservativestoavoid
