Is Pastrami Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated July 16, 2026
The Answer
Pastrami requires caution during pregnancy because deli meats can carry Listeria. Avoid eating it cold; reheat it to 165°F, or steaming hot, immediately before eating.
The main pregnancy concern is possible Listeria contamination from ready to eat deli meat, including pastrami, so heating it thoroughly just before serving is important. Pastrami is also a processed meat that may contain sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate; limited observational evidence supports moderating frequent cured meat intake, but it does not establish that an occasional properly heated serving causes harm.
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✓ What's Safe
- • Pastrami reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F immediately before eating
- • Meat that is visibly steaming hot throughout, including the center of the portion
- • Freshly heated servings rather than slices left sitting at room temperature
- • Packaging with clear storage instructions and an unexpired use by date
- • Products with simpler ingredient lists if you want to limit curing additives
- • Small, occasional portions rather than frequent processed meat meals
✗ What to Avoid
- • Cold or merely warm pastrami straight from the deli counter or refrigerator
- • Pastrami that has not reached 165°F throughout
- • Old leftovers or meat with unclear refrigeration and handling history
- • Sandwiches prepared in advance and served cold
- • Frequent cured meat intake, particularly products listing sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate
- • Pastrami left at room temperature for an uncertain amount of time
Most Common Ingredients in Pastrami Products
We analyzed 11 pastrami products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Pastrami
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 11 pastrami 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 5 of 11 products (45%)
and sodium nitrite rubbed withnatural flavorings
CAUTION
And sodium nitrite rubbed withnatural flavorings 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 1 of 11 products (9%)
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 1 of 11 products (9%)
sodium nitrite coated with spices
CAUTION
Sodium nitrite coated with spices 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 1 of 11 products (9%)
sodium nitrite rubbed withnatural flavorings
CAUTION
Sodium nitrite rubbed withnatural flavorings 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 1 of 11 products (9%)
Pastrami Products We've Analyzed
We graded 11 pastrami products for pregnancy safety. 1 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Pastrami Products
We found 1 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Uncured Beef Pastrami | Niman Ranch |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat pastrami?
Yes, but pastrami should be treated as a deli meat that requires caution. Reheat it to 165°F, or until steaming hot throughout, immediately before eating. Avoid cold pastrami during pregnancy because ready to eat deli meats can carry Listeria.
Is pastrami cooked or raw?
Pastrami is generally cured, smoked, and cooked rather than sold as raw beef. However, prior cooking does not eliminate the possibility of contamination during later slicing, packaging, or handling. During pregnancy, reheat it to 165°F just before eating rather than relying on its original cooking step.
Does pastrami have Listeria?
Not every serving contains Listeria, but pastrami belongs to the deli meat category, which can carry the bacterium. You cannot reliably identify contamination by appearance or smell. Heating the meat to 165°F, or steaming hot, immediately before eating reduces the food safety concern.
Which deli meats are safe in pregnancy?
The key issue is preparation rather than choosing a particular deli meat name. Deli meats should be reheated to 165°F or until steaming hot immediately before eating, while cold servings should be avoided. Storage, freshness, and handling still matter after heating.
Can I eat a hot pastrami sandwich while pregnant?
A freshly prepared sandwich is the safer choice when the pastrami itself has reached 165°F and is steaming hot throughout. Simply warming the bread or lightly heating the meat is not equivalent. Eat it promptly rather than allowing it to cool for a long period.
Are uncured or nitrate free pastrami products safer during pregnancy?
An uncured label does not remove the deli meat concern about possible Listeria contamination. Regardless of the curing method, heat the pastrami to 165°F immediately before eating. If you want to limit curing additives, compare ingredient labels, but do not use that choice as a substitute for proper heating.
How often can I eat pastrami during pregnancy?
The available information does not establish a specific pregnancy serving limit. Because pastrami is processed meat and may contain sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate, an occasional serving is more cautious than frequent intake. Limited observational pregnancy concerns about frequent cured meat consumption do not prove that an occasional properly heated 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.
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.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/delimeats-7-24/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/food safety/foods/pregnant women.html
- 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://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