Pregnancy food guidance, in plain English

Deli Meats & Cured Meats

Deli meats such as salami, ham, and chorizo are generally considered safe by the NHS. To reduce any Listeria risk, heating them until steaming hot before eating is a sensible precaution.

Eat with caution
Deli Meats & Cured Meats

NHS guidance states that cold cured meats — including salami, pepperoni, chorizo, and prosciutto — are safe to eat during pregnancy without additional preparation. However, some health authorities, including those in the US, recommend that pregnant women only eat deli meats if they have first been heated until steaming hot. This is because cold cured meats can occasionally carry Listeria bacteria, which causes listeriosis — a rare but potentially serious infection in pregnancy. If you want to take extra precautions, heating deli meats in a pan or microwave until steaming before eating is easy and eliminates the risk.

What to be aware of

  • NHS guidance allows deli meats to be eaten cold, but heating until steaming hot adds extra reassurance.
  • Avoid meat that is past its use-by date.
  • Keep deli meats refrigerated and eat within the time shown on the packaging.
  • Be mindful of large quantities — cured meats are also high in salt.

NHS guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/

US guidance

The FDA and USDA in the US specifically advise pregnant women to avoid all deli meats and cold cuts unless heated until steaming hot (to 74°C / 165°F) due to Listeria risk. This is more cautious than current NHS guidance.

Pregnancy-safe recipes

These recipes are designed with pregnancy safety in mind.

Hot toastie with chorizo and melted cheese

Hot toastie with chorizo and melted cheese

A grilled toastie where the chorizo is heated through — the safe and delicious option.

Pregnancy tip: Grilling or pressing the sandwich ensures the chorizo is heated all the way through, removing any Listeria concern.

Ingredients

  • 2 slices sourdough or thick white bread
  • 6 slices chorizo or salami
  • 2 slices mozzarella or mature Cheddar
  • A few roasted peppers from a jar
  • 1 tsp olive oil

Method

  1. Lay the bread flat and place cheese on one slice.
  2. Add the chorizo and roasted peppers.
  3. Close the sandwich and brush the outside with olive oil.
  4. Cook in a dry frying pan or sandwich press on medium heat for 3–4 minutes each side.
  5. The chorizo should be heated through and the cheese fully melted.
  6. Cut in half and eat immediately.
Pizza with hot pepperoni

Pizza with hot pepperoni

A homemade pizza where the pepperoni is baked in the oven until hot and crisp — completely safe.

Pregnancy tip: Baking pepperoni on a hot pizza ensures it is thoroughly heated. The oven temperature of 240°C eliminates any Listeria risk.

Ingredients

  • 1 pizza base (shop-bought or homemade)
  • 4 tbsp tomato passata
  • 100g mozzarella, torn
  • 60g pepperoni slices
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Olive oil to finish

Method

  1. Preheat oven to its highest setting (240–250°C). Place a baking sheet inside to heat up.
  2. Spread passata over the pizza base, leaving a border.
  3. Scatter over the mozzarella and pepperoni.
  4. Sprinkle with oregano.
  5. Slide onto the hot baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes until the crust is golden and the pepperoni is hot and slightly crisped at the edges.
  6. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil.