Is Roast Beef Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 25, 2026
The Answer
With caution. Roast beef is safe during pregnancy only when heated to steaming hot (165°F) before eating. Cold deli roast beef carries a risk of Listeria contamination, which can be harmful to your baby.
Deli meats like roast beef can harbor Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cross the placenta and cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious infection in newborns. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population. The good news is that heating roast beef until steaming hot kills Listeria, making it safe to enjoy.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Freshly cooked roast beef served hot from the oven or slow cooker
- • Deli roast beef reheated to 165°F (steaming hot) just before eating
- • Pre packaged roast beef heated in a skillet or microwave until steaming throughout
- • Roast beef in hot sandwiches, paninis, or melts where the meat is heated through
- • Freshly sliced roast beef from a hot roast at home rather than pre sliced deli meat
- • Consume reheated deli meat immediately don't let it cool back down
✗ What to Avoid
- • Cold roast beef straight from the deli counter or refrigerator
- • Room temperature roast beef that has been sitting out (buffets, party trays)
- • Pre made cold roast beef sandwiches from delis or convenience stores
- • Roast beef that has been in the refrigerator longer than 3-4 days
- • Any roast beef with an off smell, slimy texture, or past its use by date
- • Undercooked or rare roast beef always ensure it's well done
Most Common Ingredients in Roast Beef Products
We analyzed 100 roast beef products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Roast Beef
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 100 roast beef products we analyzed.
polysorbate 80
CAUTION
Polysorbate 80 is an emulsifier used in foods and medications. May alter offspring gut microbiota and immune function based on animal studies.
Found in 3 of 100 products (3%)
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 3 of 100 products (3%)
Roast Beef Products We've Analyzed
We graded 100 roast beef products for pregnancy safety. 33 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Roast Beef Products
We found 33 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Roast Beef | Sainsbury'S |
| A | Roast British Peppered Topside Of Beef | Ashfields |
| A | Niman Ranch, Roast Sliced Beef Rubeed With Natural Seasonings | Niman Ranch |
| A | Roast Beef | Applegate Organics |
| A | Roast Beef | — |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat roast beef?
Yes, pregnant women can eat roast beef, but it must be heated to 165°F (steaming hot) before eating. This applies to deli sliced roast beef, pre packaged lunch meat, and leftover roast beef from the fridge. Freshly cooked roast beef served hot is safe without reheating. The concern is Listeria bacteria, which can survive refrigeration but is killed by proper heating.
What are the risks of roast beef during pregnancy?
The main risk is Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can contaminate deli meats during processing or slicing. Listeriosis infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life threatening infection in newborns. Pregnant women are significantly more susceptible to listeriosis than the general population. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, and flu like illness, but sometimes there are no symptoms at all.
Can you eat medium beef when pregnant?
No, pregnant women should avoid medium or rare beef. All beef should be cooked thoroughly until there is no pink meat and no blood visible. This includes roast beef, steaks, and ground beef. Undercooked meat can contain Toxoplasma parasites and harmful bacteria that pose risks during pregnancy. Use a meat thermometer to ensure beef reaches a safe internal temperature of at least 145°F for whole cuts (with 3-minute rest) or 160°F for ground beef.
Which foods help prevent constipation in pregnancy?
High fiber foods help prevent constipation during pregnancy. Good choices include fruits (especially prunes, pears, and apples), vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. Aim for about 25 grams of fiber daily. Staying well hydrated and getting regular physical activity also helps. If you're eating roast beef, pair it with fiber rich sides like whole grain bread, leafy greens, or a bean salad to support digestive health.
How do I safely reheat deli roast beef during pregnancy?
Heat deli roast beef until it's steaming hot throughout, reaching 165°F. You can use a microwave, skillet, or oven. In the microwave, heat slices for 30-60 seconds until steam rises. In a skillet, cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes per side. The meat should be too hot to eat immediately if you can comfortably bite into it right away, it needs more heating. Eat immediately after reheating; don't let it cool back down.
Is Arby's or Subway roast beef safe during pregnancy?
Fast food roast beef from Arby's is typically safe because it's served hot off the slicer. However, Subway roast beef is usually served cold unless you request it toasted or heated. Ask for your sandwich to be heated until the meat is steaming hot. When in doubt, request that the meat be microwaved or toasted until visibly steaming before it goes on your sandwich. Don't be shy about asking food service workers understand pregnancy food safety concerns.
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://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37979881/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17961976/
- https://truthsnitch.com/2017/11/28/polysorbate-80-vaccines safe/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8547008/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3960626/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9096282/
- https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/expert reactionmouse study suggests eating emulsifiers during pregnancy and lactation linked to health risks
- https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/PB93123826.xhtml
- https://www.chop.edu/vaccine education center/vaccine safety/vaccine ingredients/polysorbate-80
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749123013945
- https://www.foodchemadditives.com/side_effects_info/961
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8473002/
- https://www.cir safety.org/sites/default/files/PSorba_062015_FR_0.pdf
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-50781-2
- https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-consumption food additives pregnancy offspring.html
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6015121/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7022221/
- https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific guideline/draft information package leaflet regarding polysorbates used excipients medicinal products human use_en.pdf
