Is Pepperoni Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, with caution. Pepperoni is safe during pregnancy when heated until steaming hot (165°F), such as on a freshly baked pizza. Avoid eating cold or unheated pepperoni due to listeria risk.
Pepperoni is a cured deli meat that can carry Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria particularly dangerous during pregnancy. Listeria can cross the placenta and cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious infection in newborns. Additionally, most pepperoni contains sodium nitrite, a preservative that may affect fetal oxygen availability at high exposures.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Pepperoni cooked until steaming hot (165°F internal temperature)
- • Freshly baked pizza where the pepperoni is visibly heated and slightly crispy
- • Uncured pepperoni options that use celery powder instead of synthetic nitrites
- • Brands like Applegate Naturals that offer nitrate free turkey or pork pepperoni
- • Limit to 1-2 servings per week due to high sodium and saturated fat content
- • Store bought pepperoni heated in the microwave until steaming before eating
✗ What to Avoid
- • Cold pepperoni straight from the package or deli counter
- • Pepperoni on cold sandwiches, charcuterie boards, or antipasto platters
- • Room temperature pepperoni that has been sitting out
- • Pepperoni from buffets where temperature is uncertain
- • Raw or undercooked pepperoni on lukewarm pizza
- • Excessive consumption due to high sodium nitrite content
Most Common Ingredients in Pepperoni Products
We analyzed 144 pepperoni products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Pepperoni
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 144 pepperoni 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 78 of 144 products (54%)
wine
CAUTION
Wine is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 9 of 144 products (6%)
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 7 of 144 products (5%)
fennel seed
CAUTION
Fennel seed is an herb used for digestive support. Contains estragole which has genotoxic concerns and may affect hormone levels.
Found in 2 of 144 products (1%)
fennel seeds
CAUTION
Fennel seeds is an herb used for digestive support. Contains estragole which has genotoxic concerns and may affect hormone levels.
Found in 2 of 144 products (1%)
potassium nitrate
CAUTION
Potassium 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 2 of 144 products (1%)
benzoate of soda
CAUTION
Benzoate of soda is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 1 of 144 products (1%)
fennel
CAUTION
Fennel is an herb used for digestive support. Contains estragole which has genotoxic concerns and may affect hormone levels.
Found in 1 of 144 products (1%)
Pepperoni Products We've Analyzed
We graded 144 pepperoni products for pregnancy safety. 48 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Pepperoni Products
We found 48 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Uncured Turkey Pepperoni | Applegate Naturals |
| A | Foustmans Salami Pork And Beef Pepperoni | Foustman'S |
| A | Naturalissima, Uncured Pepperoni | — |
| A | Uncured Pepperoni | — |
| A | Hempler, Uncured Beef Pepperoni | Hempler Foods Group Llc |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat pepperoni?
Yes, pregnant women can eat pepperoni when it's heated to 165°F (steaming hot). This includes pepperoni on freshly baked pizza where the toppings are thoroughly cooked. The heat kills any potential listeria bacteria that may be present in cured meats. However, you should avoid eating cold pepperoni from packages, deli counters, or on cold sandwiches during pregnancy.
What are the risks of pepperoni during pregnancy?
The main risk is listeria contamination, which is more dangerous during pregnancy because it can cross the placenta and cause miscarriage, premature birth, or serious infection in newborns. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population. Additionally, pepperoni contains sodium nitrite, which in high amounts may affect fetal oxygen delivery, though the amounts in occasional servings are generally considered low risk.
Can nitrates in pepperoni harm my baby?
Sodium nitrite, found in most pepperoni, is a preservative that has been associated with potential concerns during pregnancy at high exposure levels, including effects on fetal oxygen availability. However, the amounts in occasional servings of pepperoni are generally considered safe. To minimize exposure, choose uncured pepperoni brands that use natural alternatives like celery powder, and limit consumption to 1-2 servings per week.
Can I eat pepperoni pizza at 7 weeks pregnant?
Yes, you can safely eat pepperoni pizza during early pregnancy, including at 7 weeks, as long as the pizza is freshly baked and the pepperoni is heated through until steaming hot. The high oven temperatures used to bake pizza (typically 400-500°F) are sufficient to kill any listeria bacteria. Just make sure the pizza is served hot, not lukewarm, and avoid leftover pizza that has been sitting at room temperature.
Is pepperoni on pizza safe during pregnancy?
Yes, pepperoni on pizza is one of the safest ways to enjoy this cured meat during pregnancy. When pizza is baked at high temperatures, the pepperoni reaches well above the 165°F needed to kill listeria bacteria. The NHS and other health authorities confirm that cured meat toppings like pepperoni are safe when cooked thoroughly. Just ensure your pizza is served hot and freshly made rather than sitting out at room temperature.
What pepperoni brands are safe during pregnancy?
All pepperoni brands are safe during pregnancy when heated properly. However, if you want to avoid synthetic nitrates, look for uncured options like Applegate Naturals Uncured Turkey Pepperoni or Applegate Uncured Pork & Beef Pepperoni. These use celery powder as a natural curing agent instead of sodium nitrite. Our database shows 48 A grade pepperoni options that are free from concerning additives.
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.
People Also Checked
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/delimeats-7-24/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/food safety/foods/pregnant women.html
- https://chemm.hhs.gov/countermeasure_sodium nitrite.htm
- https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/zeb.2012.0746
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1392223/
- https://oehha.ca.gov/sites/default/files/media/downloads/crnr/sodnithid.pdf
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2916857/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-27345-x
- https://www.americordblood.com/articles/nitrates and pregancy
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/tera.1420180311
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8824361/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3607976/
- https://www.fishersci.ca/shop/products/sodium nitrite-98-thermo scientific-1/p-7024287
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/201444s000lbl.pdf
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10305619/
- https://www.pharmacompass.com/chemistry chemical name/sodium nitrite
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/203923s001lbl.pdf
- https://go.drugbank.com/salts/DBSALT002657
- https://www.myactivehealth.com/hwcontent/content/multum/d07762a1.html
- https://www.buzzrx.com/blog/food and nitrates
