Pastrami, a type of deli meat typically made from cured, seasoned, and smoked beef, requires careful consideration during pregnancy. This ready-to-eat meat is associated with a specific food safety concern for expectant mothers and their developing babies. Consumption is possible, but it depends entirely on how the pastrami is handled and prepared before it is eaten.
The Specific Pathogen That Causes Concern
The primary food safety issue with pastrami and other ready-to-eat deli meats centers on the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. This microorganism is widely present in the environment, found in soil, water, and animal feces, and can easily contaminate food during processing or post-cooking handling. Unlike most other foodborne pathogens, Listeria can multiply even in cold environments, including inside a refrigerator. This means the bacteria can grow to dangerous levels on refrigerated deli slices over time, even when stored correctly at 40°F (4°C).
Pregnant women face an increased susceptibility to infection, being approximately 10 to 20 times more likely to contract listeriosis than the general healthy adult population. This heightened vulnerability is due to natural changes in the immune system during gestation, which involves a temporary suppression of certain immune responses. While the risk of infection remains low overall, this immune alteration makes it harder for the mother’s body to fight off the bacteria should exposure occur.
Fetal and Maternal Risks of Listeriosis
For the expectant mother, listeriosis often manifests as a mild, non-specific illness, sometimes presenting with flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. Gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea may also occur, or the pregnant individual may show no symptoms at all. The most significant danger lies in the bacteria’s ability to move beyond the mother’s bloodstream and cross the placental barrier.
Once Listeria reaches the fetus, the consequences can be severe and life-threatening. Infection can lead to tragic outcomes, including miscarriage, fetal death, or stillbirth. If the baby is born with the infection, it may result in premature delivery, low birth weight, or severe complications such as meningitis or sepsis. These severe neonatal infections carry a significant fatality rate and can also cause lifelong health issues, including developmental delays, seizures, or paralysis.
Safe Consumption Guidelines for Deli Meats
The factor for safely consuming pastrami and other deli meats during pregnancy is the application of heat. The bacteria Listeria monocytogenes are effectively destroyed by high temperatures. Health authorities recommend that all ready-to-eat deli meats be heated to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before consumption.
This temperature must be reached throughout the meat, typically described as being “steaming hot.” Simply toasting a sandwich or warming the meat slightly will not reliably eliminate the bacteria, as uneven heating can leave cold spots where Listeria can survive. Once thoroughly heated, the pastrami should be consumed immediately and not be allowed to cool and be returned to the refrigerator for later use. This heating measure eliminates the risk posed by any post-processing contamination that may have occurred before or during slicing.
Related Foods That Pose Similar Risks
The food safety principle that applies to pastrami extends to many other types of refrigerated, ready-to-eat products with a long shelf life. Cold hot dogs and sausages, unless heated until steaming, fall under the same avoidance recommendation due to the risk of Listeria contamination. Similarly, refrigerated pâtés, meat spreads, and smoked seafood like lox should be avoided unless they are incorporated into a thoroughly cooked dish.
Unpasteurized dairy products, including milk, and soft cheeses made with unpasteurized milk, such as Feta, Brie, and Camembert, are also recognized high-risk foods. Pre-prepared deli salads (like ham or seafood salad) and pre-cut fruits and vegetables stored for extended periods present an elevated risk of bacterial growth. For all these items, the same heating or avoidance measures are advised to prevent potential listeriosis.