Is Prosciutto Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 25, 2026
The Answer
With caution - prosciutto can be safe during pregnancy if heated to 165°F (steaming hot) before eating. Cold or uncooked prosciutto carries a risk of Listeria, which is especially dangerous during pregnancy.
Prosciutto is a dry cured deli meat that can harbor Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that poses serious risks during pregnancy including miscarriage, stillbirth, and severe illness in newborns. The CDC recommends pregnant women avoid cold deli meats unless they're reheated until steaming hot. When properly heated, prosciutto can be enjoyed safely as part of cooked dishes.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Prosciutto cooked into hot dishes like pizza, pasta, or baked recipes where it reaches 165°F
- • Crispy prosciutto that's been pan fried or baked until fully heated through
- • Freshly opened packages from reputable brands stored properly at 40°F or below
- • Products with clear expiration dates that haven't been sitting in the deli case long
- • Prosciutto added to dishes just before serving and heated until steaming
✗ What to Avoid
- • Cold prosciutto straight from the package or deli counter
- • Prosciutto on room temperature charcuterie boards or appetizer platters
- • Deli sliced prosciutto that may have cross contamination from slicing equipment
- • Prosciutto from unclear sources or with unknown storage history
- • Uncooked prosciutto crudo served as is on sandwiches or salads
Most Common Ingredients in Prosciutto Products
We analyzed 74 prosciutto products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Prosciutto
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 74 prosciutto products we analyzed.
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 74 products (9%)
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 5 of 74 products (7%)
white wine
AVOID
White wine is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 2 of 74 products (3%)
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 2 of 74 products (3%)
Prosciutto Products We've Analyzed
We graded 74 prosciutto products for pregnancy safety. 67 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Prosciutto Products
We found 67 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Prosciutto | Fiorucci |
| A | Prosciutto | Naturalissima,Campofrio Food Group America |
| A | Prosciuto | Appleton Farms - Aldi, Aldi |
| A | Naturalissima, Prosciutto | — |
| A | Prosciutto | — |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat prosciutto?
Pregnant women can eat prosciutto if it's heated to 165°F (steaming hot) before eating. Cold prosciutto carries a risk of Listeria contamination, which can cause serious complications during pregnancy. When cooked on pizza, in pasta dishes, or pan fried until crispy, prosciutto is considered safe. The key is ensuring the meat is heated through, not just warmed.
What are the risks of prosciutto during pregnancy?
The main risk is Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can survive refrigeration and the curing process. Listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life threatening infection in newborns. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population. There's also a small risk of Toxoplasma gondii from undercooked cured meats.
Is cooked prosciutto safe during pregnancy?
Yes, cooked prosciutto is safe during pregnancy when heated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot. This kills Listeria and other harmful bacteria. Prosciutto baked on pizza, crisped in a pan, or cooked into hot pasta dishes meets this standard. The meat should be visibly hot and steaming, not just room temperature or slightly warm.
What happens if I accidentally ate cold prosciutto while pregnant?
Don't panic - the risk of Listeria from any single serving is relatively low. Most people who eat contaminated food don't get sick. However, watch for symptoms like fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea in the next 2-30 days. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any symptoms or have concerns. They may recommend monitoring or testing depending on your situation.
Can I eat prosciutto on pizza while pregnant?
Yes, prosciutto on pizza is generally safe during pregnancy because the oven heat kills harmful bacteria. The pizza should be cooked thoroughly and served hot. If prosciutto is added after baking as a topping, it should be heated separately first. Avoid pizzas that have been sitting out at room temperature, as bacteria can multiply quickly once the food cools down.
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://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/delimeats-7-24/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/food safety/foods/pregnant women.html
- https://med.stanford.edu/news/all news/2021/05/too much nitrate in drinking water linked to preterm birth.html
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07853890.2025.2521440
- https://oehha.ca.gov/sites/default/files/media/downloads/crnr/sodnithid.pdf
- https://www.americordblood.com/articles/nitrates and pregancy
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28090634/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8824361/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10504112/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40624890/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3607976/
- https://archive.cdc.gov/www_atsdr_cdc_gov/csem/nitrate nitrite/who_risk.html
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10305619/
- https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/EHP8205
- https://www.acog.org/news/news releases/2021/06/acog updated guidance reducing patients exposure to environmental toxins before and during pregnancy
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1438463925001944
- https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical guidance/clinical consensus/articles/2023/08/urinary tract infections in pregnant individuals
- https://lamaze.org/Giving Birth with Confidence/GBWC Post/food additives to avoid in pregnancy and when feeding children
- https://chemm.hhs.gov/pregnancycategories.htm
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-27345-x
