Can I eat deli meats when pregnant?

Hello Marie, I am pregnant and would like to know if I can eat small amounts of deli meats, for example, hot dogs. Can I, or should I abstain?

Thank you for your time, Leila

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Comme pour les fromages à pâte molle,

Like with washed-rind cheeses, deli meats can be infected with listeriosis bacteria. This infection can lead to miscarriages, premature births and even cause a severe infection for the baby. Even if the deli meats were previously cooked, we know that handling the meats after can cause potential infection. This can be when the meat is cut (infected machines), packaged, etc. As a preventative measure, if you eat it occasionally, you have to cook the meat beforehand. This will eliminate the bacteria, which can’t tolerate high heat. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Talk soon,

Marie

The Baby Expert