Is Pizza Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 25, 2026
The Answer
Yes, pizza is generally safe during pregnancy when cooked thoroughly and served hot. Most frozen and restaurant pizzas use pasteurized cheese, making them safe choices for expectant mothers.
Pizza can be a satisfying meal during pregnancy, but topping choices matter. The main concerns are unpasteurized soft cheeses, undercooked deli meats containing sodium nitrite, and cold pizza that may harbor bacteria. When made with pasteurized mozzarella and cooked to steaming hot temperatures, pizza poses minimal risk.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Pizzas made with pasteurized mozzarella or other hard cheeses
- • Freshly baked pizza served steaming hot (165°F or higher)
- • Vegetable toppings like peppers, mushrooms, and onions for added nutrition
- • Thin crust options to manage calorie and sodium intake
- • Homemade pizza where you control ingredient quality
- • Major brand frozen pizzas that use pasteurized dairy
✗ What to Avoid
- • Cold or room temperature pizza that has been sitting out
- • Pizzas topped with unpasteurized soft cheeses like fresh feta or blue cheese
- • Undercooked or cold deli meat toppings (pepperoni, sausage should be heated through)
- • Excessive consumption due to high sodium content in most pizzas
- • Pizzas with gorgonzola or other mold ripened cheeses unless thoroughly cooked
- • Buffet or self serve pizza that may not be kept at safe temperatures
Most Common Ingredients in Pizza Products
We analyzed 3,196 pizza products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Pizza
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 3,196 pizza 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 625 of 3,196 products (20%)
sodium aluminum phosphate
CAUTION
Sodium aluminum phosphate 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 395 of 3,196 products (12%)
sage
CAUTION
Sage is a culinary herb used in cooking and teas. Contains thujone which may trigger uterine contractions and increase miscarriage risk.
Found in 61 of 3,196 products (2%)
sodium aluminum sulfate
CAUTION
Sodium aluminum 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 47 of 3,196 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 41 of 3,196 products (1%)
leavening sodium aluminum phosphate
CAUTION
Leavening sodium aluminum phosphate 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 41 of 3,196 products (1%)
hydrogenated soybean oil
CAUTION
Hydrogenated soybean oil is processed oils containing artificial trans fats. Is associated with preeclampsia and may interfere with fetal brain development.
Found in 34 of 3,196 products (1%)
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 33 of 3,196 products (1%)
Pizza Products We've Analyzed
We graded 3,196 pizza products for pregnancy safety. 1,383 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Pizza Products
We found 1,383 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Pizza Margherita | Amy'S |
| A | Pizza | Rao'S Homemade |
| A | Gluten Free Cheese Pizza With A Cauliflower Crust | Trader Joe'S |
| A | Four Cheese Pizza | Freschetta |
| A | Cheese Pizza | Amy'S, Amy'S Kitchen Inc. |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat pizza?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat pizza when it's freshly cooked and served hot. The key is ensuring all toppings, especially meats and cheeses, reach safe temperatures. Most commercial pizzas use pasteurized mozzarella, which is safe during pregnancy. Avoid cold leftover pizza and always reheat until steaming before eating.
What are the risks of pizza during pregnancy?
The primary risks come from specific toppings rather than pizza itself. Unpasteurized soft cheeses can carry listeria, which poses serious risks to pregnancy. Deli meats like pepperoni contain sodium nitrite, a preservative that may affect fetal oxygen levels at high exposures. Cold pizza left at room temperature can harbor harmful bacteria. These risks are minimized when pizza is cooked thoroughly and eaten fresh.
Is it safe to eat pizza while pregnant?
Yes, pizza is safe to eat while pregnant when prepared and handled properly. Choose pizzas with pasteurized cheese, ensure meat toppings are cooked through, and eat it while hot. Avoid leaving pizza at room temperature for extended periods. With over 1,300 A grade pizza options available, there are plenty of pregnancy safe choices from trusted brands like Amy's, Rao's, and Home Run Inn.
Can you eat pepperoni pizza when pregnant?
Yes, you can eat pepperoni pizza during pregnancy as long as the pepperoni is cooked until steaming hot. Pepperoni contains sodium nitrite, a preservative that warrants caution during pregnancy. When heated thoroughly on pizza, the risk is significantly reduced. Avoid eating cold pepperoni or pepperoni that hasn't been heated through. Consider limiting frequency due to the high sodium and preservative content.
Can you eat mozzarella on pizza when pregnant?
Yes, mozzarella on pizza is safe during pregnancy. The mozzarella used on most commercial and restaurant pizzas is made from pasteurized milk, eliminating listeria concerns. Additionally, the high cooking temperatures of pizza ovens kill any potential bacteria. Fresh mozzarella from reputable sources is also safe when cooked on hot pizza. Always verify that any specialty or artisan cheese is pasteurized.
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://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
- https://www.pharmaffiliates.com/en/7632-00-0-sodium nitrite pa2701381.html
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39674018/
