Yes, you can eat salami while pregnant, but only safely if it is thoroughly heated until steaming hot. Cold or “as-is” salami and other deli meats are generally advised against in pregnancy because of infection risks.
Main risk with salami
Unheated salami can carry harmful bacteria such as Listeria, which can cause a serious infection (listeriosis) and is linked to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or severe newborn illness. Undercooked or raw-style cured meats can also be a source of toxoplasmosis and other foodborne illnesses, which are more dangerous in pregnancy because the immune system is weaker.
When salami is safer
Health and food-safety experts generally recommend avoiding cold deli meats, including salami, unless they are heated until they are steaming hot all the way through. Heating (for example on pizza, in a hot sandwich, or by microwaving) to at least about 74°C/165°F kills Listeria and similar bacteria and makes these meats much safer in pregnancy.
Practical tips
- If you really want salami, choose options that are cooked in a hot dish (pizza, toasted panini, baked pasta) so the slices are steaming.
- Avoid eating salami straight from the package, from a cold deli platter, or meats that have been hanging at room temperature.
If you already ate some cold salami, the overall risk is still low, but contact your maternity provider promptly if you develop flu-like symptoms, fever, diarrhea, or feel unusually unwell.