Deli meat is a popular choice for lunch, but if you’re pregnant, you might be questioning whether this common sandwich filling is one to steer clear of.

The recent listeria outbreak connected to Boar’s Head products produced in a facility in Jarratt, Virginia, has raised alarm about the safety of eating sliced deli meat. Since late July, there have been 59 hospitalizations and 10 deaths linked to this outbreak, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.

The CDC warns that consuming unheated deli meat during pregnancy poses certain risks.

Is it ever okay to eat deli meat while pregnant? Here’s the experts’ insight.

Is it safe to consume deli meat during pregnancy?

One significant risk of eating unheated deli meat while pregnant is the chance of getting listeriosis, an infection caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes, as stated by Dr. Carolyn Cokes, MD, MPH, a certified OB/GYN at the Metropolitan OB/GYN group.

Listeriosis is generally spread through contaminated food, though it can be transmitted to the fetus and newborns during pregnancy, according to the CDC.

During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system is somewhat suppressed to avoid rejecting the fetus, explains Liz Weinandy, MPH, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian nutritionist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. This makes pregnant individuals more susceptible to infections like listeriosis.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists indicates that pregnant individuals are 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than those who are not pregnant.

However, Cokes reassures that the likelihood of developing listeriosis related to pregnancy remains very low. A 2012 study showed that pregnancy-associated listeriosis rates were 2.27 per 100,000 non-Hispanic patients and 8.9 per 100,000 in Hispanic patients.

Can you eat deli meat while pregnant?

Weinandy advises that pregnant individuals should take precautions to ensure their safety when consuming these meats.

She suggests heating the meat in the oven, microwave, or boiling water until steaming hot, as heat effectively kills harmful bacteria.

What are the early signs of listeriosis?

Symptoms of listeriosis in pregnant individuals can mimic those of other flu-like illnesses, according to Cokes. Common signs include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, as noted by the CDC.

If you experience any symptoms, it’s crucial to contact your doctor. Cokes stresses that if it is a case of listeriosis, “there are measures we can take to enhance outcomes.”

Experiencing listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to serious health issues, including miscarriage, premature labor, or stillbirth. For newborns, listeriosis can result in severe illness or even death, according to ACOG.

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