Is Salami Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 25, 2026
The Answer
With caution. Salami and other deli meats can carry Listeria bacteria, so they should be heated to 165°F (steaming hot) before eating during pregnancy. Cold salami straight from the package is not recommended.
Deli meats like salami pose a Listeria risk during pregnancy, which can cause serious complications including miscarriage, stillbirth, and severe illness in newborns. Many salami products also contain sodium nitrite and nitrates, preservatives that may affect fetal oxygen availability at high exposure levels. The good news is that heating salami until steaming hot kills harmful bacteria, making it safe to enjoy.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Salami heated to 165°F (steaming hot) before eating - on pizza, in hot sandwiches, or pan fried
- • Uncured salami options that skip sodium nitrite (239 A grade products available)
- • Brands like Applegate Organics, Wegmans, or Volpi that offer cleaner ingredient lists
- • Freshly opened packages consumed within 3-5 days when refrigerated
- • Products stored at proper refrigerator temperature (40°F or below)
✗ What to Avoid
- • Cold salami eaten straight from the package without heating
- • Deli counter salami that has been sitting out or cross contaminated
- • Salami containing wine or alcohol ingredients (check labels for wine infused varieties)
- • Products past their use by date or with damaged packaging
- • Salami from charcuterie boards at parties where temperature control is uncertain
Most Common Ingredients in Salami Products
We analyzed 956 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 956 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 532 of 956 products (56%)
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 292 of 956 products (31%)
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 233 of 956 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 104 of 956 products (11%)
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 28 of 956 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 18 of 956 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 17 of 956 products (2%)
sherry wine
AVOID
Sherry wine is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 8 of 956 products (1%)
Salami Products We've Analyzed
We graded 956 salami products for pregnancy safety. 239 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Salami Products
We found 239 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Genoa Salame | Hillshire Snacking |
| A | Smoked Beef Salami | Brooklyn Cured |
| A | Genoa Mild Salami | Olli Salumeria |
| A | Wine Infused Salame | Hillshire Snacking |
| A | Casalingo | Creminelli |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat salami?
Yes, but only when heated to 165°F (steaming hot) just before eating. Cold salami carries a risk of Listeria contamination, which is particularly dangerous during pregnancy. When salami is cooked on pizza, in a hot panini, or pan fried until steaming, the heat kills any harmful bacteria. Many pregnant women safely enjoy salami this way throughout their pregnancy.
What are the risks of salami during pregnancy?
The main risks are Listeria, Salmonella, and Toxoplasmosis - all foodborne illnesses that can be present in unheated deli meats. Listeria is the most concerning because pregnant women are 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population, and it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life threatening infection in newborns. Additionally, many salamis contain sodium nitrite preservatives, which may affect fetal oxygen levels at high exposures.
What happens if I accidentally eat salami while pregnant?
Don't panic - the actual risk of contracting Listeria from any single serving of deli meat is quite low. Most women who eat cold salami during pregnancy have no problems. However, watch for symptoms like fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea over the next 2-4 weeks. If you develop any flu like symptoms, contact your healthcare provider and mention you ate deli meat. They may recommend testing to rule out infection.
Is cooked salami safe during pregnancy?
Yes, cooked salami is safe during pregnancy when heated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot. This includes salami on pizza that's been baked, salami in hot pasta dishes, pan fried salami, or salami heated in the microwave until steaming. The key is that the meat needs to be hot all the way through, not just warm. Once properly heated, you can enjoy it immediately.
What deli meats are safe during pregnancy?
All deli meats follow the same rule during pregnancy: heat them to 165°F before eating. This applies to salami, ham, turkey, roast beef, bologna, and other cold cuts. If you want to eat deli meat cold, the safest options are freshly cooked meats you prepare at home. Some pregnant women choose to avoid deli meats entirely, while others enjoy them heated. Both approaches are valid - it's about your personal comfort level with the small but real risk.
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://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
