Is Salami Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
With caution. Salami and other deli meats can carry Listeria bacteria, which is dangerous during pregnancy. You can safely eat salami if you heat it to 165°F (steaming hot) just before eating.
Deli meats like salami are a concern during pregnancy because they can harbor Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that causes listeriosis. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population, and the infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious illness in newborns. Additionally, many salamis contain sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate as preservatives, which may affect fetal oxygen availability at high exposure levels.
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✓ What's Safe
- • Salami heated to 165°F (74°C) until steaming hot just before eating
- • Freshly sliced salami from a clean deli counter, heated immediately
- • Salami cooked into hot dishes like pizza, pasta, or casseroles where it reaches safe temperatures
- • Vacuum sealed packages opened fresh and heated before consumption
- • Uncured or nitrate free varieties when available (still must be heated)
- • Products stored properly at 40°F or below and used within 3-5 days of opening
✗ What to Avoid
- • Cold salami straight from the package or deli counter
- • Salami on unheated charcuterie boards or antipasto platters
- • Deli sliced salami that has been sitting at room temperature
- • Products past their use by date or with damaged packaging
- • Salami from buffets or catered events where temperature control is uncertain
- • Wine infused or bourbon flavored varieties (contain alcohol)
Most Common Ingredients in Salami Products
We analyzed 584 salami products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Salami
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 584 salami 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 330 of 584 products (57%)
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 175 of 584 products (30%)
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 139 of 584 products (24%)
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 70 of 584 products (12%)
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 19 of 584 products (3%)
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 13 of 584 products (2%)
red wine
AVOID
Red wine is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 11 of 584 products (2%)
artificial color
CAUTION
Artificial color is synthetic dyes added to foods and beverages. May affect neurobehavioral development in offspring based on animal studies.
Found in 5 of 584 products (1%)
Salami Products We've Analyzed
We graded 584 salami products for pregnancy safety. 138 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Salami Products
We found 138 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Genoa Salami | Private Select |
| A | Naturalssima, Uncured Italian Dry Salami | Campofrio Food Group - America Inc., Campofrio |
| A | Uncured Genoa Salami Bites | Applegate |
| A | Uncured Turkey Salami | — |
| A | Uncured Genoa Salami | Applegate Organics |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat salami?
Pregnant women can eat salami, but only if it's heated to 165°F (steaming hot) just before eating. Cold salami straight from the package carries a risk of Listeria contamination, which can cause serious complications during pregnancy. Cooking salami on pizza, in pasta dishes, or heating slices in a pan until steaming makes it safe to enjoy. Many pregnant women choose to avoid cold deli meats entirely during pregnancy to eliminate any risk.
What are the risks of salami during pregnancy?
The primary risk of eating cold salami during pregnancy is listeriosis, an infection caused by Listeria bacteria. Pregnant women are significantly more susceptible to this infection, which can cross the placenta and affect the baby. Listeriosis can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life threatening infection in newborns. Salami may also carry Salmonella or Toxoplasma parasites. Additionally, the sodium nitrites used as preservatives in most salami may affect fetal oxygen levels at high exposures.
What happens if I accidentally eat salami while pregnant?
If you accidentally ate cold salami while pregnant, don't panic. The actual risk of contracting Listeria from any single serving is quite low. Monitor yourself for symptoms over the next 2-4 weeks, which can include fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea. If you develop any flu like symptoms, contact your healthcare provider and mention that you consumed deli meat. Most women who eat cold deli meat during pregnancy do not develop listeriosis, but it's best to avoid it going forward and heat all deli meats before eating.
How do I make salami safe to eat during pregnancy?
To make salami pregnancy safe, heat it until it's steaming hot (165°F or 74°C) immediately before eating. You can microwave slices for 30-60 seconds until steaming, pan fry them until sizzling, or add them to hot dishes like pizza, pasta, or omelets. The key is that the meat must be heated through just before you eat it heating it and then letting it cool down doesn't eliminate the risk. Using a food thermometer is the most reliable way to confirm safe temperature.
Is cooked salami on pizza safe during pregnancy?
Yes, salami on pizza is generally safe during pregnancy as long as the pizza is cooked thoroughly and served hot. The high oven temperatures used to bake pizza (typically 400-500°F) will heat the salami well above the 165°F needed to kill Listeria bacteria. Make sure the pizza is freshly baked and eat it while it's still hot. Avoid leftover pizza that has been sitting out or cold pizza from the refrigerator unless you reheat it until steaming.
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.
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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
