Is Roast Beef Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, with caution. Roast beef is safe during pregnancy only when heated to steaming hot (165°F) before eating. Cold roast beef from the deli counter carries a risk of Listeria contamination.
Roast beef falls into the deli meat category, which can harbor Listeria monocytogenes a bacteria particularly dangerous during pregnancy. Listeria can cross the placenta and cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious infection in newborns. The CDC specifically advises pregnant women to reheat all deli meats to 165°F (steaming hot) before consuming them.
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✓ What's Safe
- • Freshly cooked roast beef served hot from the oven or slow cooker
- • Deli roast beef reheated until steaming hot (165°F internal temperature)
- • Pre packaged roast beef heated in a skillet or microwave until steaming
- • Roast beef in hot sandwiches, soups, or casseroles where it's been thoroughly heated
- • Products from reputable brands with clean ingredient lists (Simple Truth, Niman Ranch)
- • Freshly sliced roast beef consumed immediately after heating
✗ What to Avoid
- • Cold roast beef sandwiches from delis or restaurants
- • Room temperature roast beef that has been sitting out
- • Deli counter roast beef eaten without reheating
- • Pre sliced roast beef stored in the refrigerator for more than 3-4 days
- • Roast beef from buffets or catering trays where temperature is uncertain
- • Any roast beef that looks or smells off, even if within date
Most Common Ingredients in Roast Beef Products
We analyzed 60 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 60 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 2 of 60 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 1 of 60 products (2%)
Roast Beef Products We've Analyzed
We graded 60 roast beef products for pregnancy safety. 19 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Roast Beef Products
We found 19 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Roast Beef | Sainsbury'S |
| A | Roast Beef Top Round, Roast | Simple Truth |
| A | Seasoned Roast Beef | Simple Truth |
| A | Roast Beef | — |
| A | Angus Roast Beef | — |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat roast beef?
Yes, pregnant women can eat roast beef safely when it's heated to 165°F (steaming hot) before eating. This applies to both homemade roast beef and deli sliced varieties. The key concern is Listeria bacteria, which can survive refrigeration temperatures. Freshly cooked roast beef served hot is the safest option. If eating deli roast beef, always reheat it in a microwave or skillet until it's steaming throughout.
What are the risks of roast beef during pregnancy?
The primary risk of eating cold roast beef during pregnancy is Listeria infection (listeriosis). Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population. This infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life threatening infection in newborns. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, and flu like illness, but sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Proper heating eliminates this risk.
Can you eat medium beef when pregnant?
No, pregnant women should avoid medium or medium rare beef. All beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°F for whole cuts (like steaks and roasts) with a 3-minute rest time, or 160°F for ground beef. This ensures any harmful bacteria like Toxoplasma and E. coli are killed. Using a meat thermometer is the most reliable way to check doneness rather than relying on color alone.
Which foods help prevent constipation in pregnancy?
High fiber foods are best for preventing pregnancy constipation. Focus on fruits like prunes, pears, and berries; vegetables like broccoli, leafy greens, and sweet potatoes; whole grains like oatmeal and whole wheat bread; and legumes like beans and lentils. Aim for about 25 grams of fiber daily. Staying well hydrated and maintaining regular physical activity also helps keep digestion moving smoothly throughout pregnancy.
How do I safely reheat deli roast beef during pregnancy?
To safely reheat deli roast beef, heat it until it reaches 165°F and is steaming hot throughout not just warm. In the microwave, heat slices for 30-60 seconds until you see steam rising. On the stovetop, cook in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side. For sandwiches, consider using a panini press or toasting the entire sandwich. The meat should be too hot to eat immediately after heating.
Is Arby's roast beef safe during pregnancy?
Arby's roast beef can be safe during pregnancy because it's typically served hot off the slicer. However, if the meat has been sitting or isn't steaming hot when served, ask for it to be freshly heated. You can request that your sandwich be heated longer or ask for the meat to be microwaved before assembly. When in doubt, choose a hot roast beef sandwich option rather than a cold one.
What's the difference between homemade and deli roast beef for pregnancy?
Homemade roast beef that you cook yourself and serve hot is the safest option during pregnancy because you control the temperature throughout. Deli roast beef, whether from a grocery store counter or pre packaged, has been handled multiple times and stored at refrigerator temperatures where Listeria can grow. Both are safe when heated to 165°F, but homemade roast beef served fresh from the oven eliminates the reheating step entirely.
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
See our full guide to beef during pregnancy.
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
