Deli meat alternatives during pregnancy

How do the options compare?

Options are stacked on five dimensions relevant to pregnancy use: mainstream OB guidance, pregnancy-specific evidence, dosing predictability, onset, and side-effect and interaction profile.

• Pregnancy alters the immune system in ways that make people more susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes, and the bacteria can cross the placenta, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening newborn infection. 1
• Deli meats accounted for six US listeriosis outbreaks between 1998 and 2008, causing 132 cases, 49 hospitalizations, and 15 deaths, with frankfurters responsible for three more outbreaks. 2
• Heating hot dogs and cold cuts to 165 degrees Fahrenheit is a recognized way to make them safe, and ready-to-eat foods held at refrigeration temperature for prolonged periods carry the highest risk. 3
• Leftovers and casseroles reach a safe minimum internal temperature at 165 degrees Fahrenheit, the same benchmark that applies to reheating cold cuts. 4
• Listeriosis in pregnancy is concentrated in the third trimester, and most sporadic cases as well as all large outbreaks trace back to manufactured foods, particularly ready-to-eat meats such as hot dogs, and soft cheeses. 5

Which option makes sense?

Deli meat itself isn't the problem, prolonged refrigerated storage is. Heating cold cuts and hot dogs to 165°F until steaming, or choosing freshly cooked meat eaten the same day, both sidestep the Listeria risk that drives this whole category.

Disclosure: Pregnancy Smart makes pregnancy supplements, though not in this category. This comparison is a plain description of the pregnancy evidence, not a sales page.