Can I eat smoked salmon while pregnant?

Avoid

Cold-smoked (lox, Nova): avoid — listeria risk. Hot-smoked or baked into a cooked dish: safe.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Example, OB-GYN, MD Last reviewed: January 15, 2025Editorial process

What's safe

Hot-smoked salmon (labeled 'hot-smoked' — fully cooked)
Smoked salmon baked into a cooked dish (quiche, pasta bake) where internal temp reaches 165 °F

What to avoid

Cold-smoked salmon — lox, Nova, gravlax (never heat-treated above 90 °F)
Any refrigerated smoked seafood sold deli-style

Sources & citations

Every verdict on this page is grounded in an authoritative source. If you spot outdated guidance, email [email protected].

Protect Your Pregnancy from Listeria
CDC
Listeria and Pregnancy (FAQ)
ACOG
Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Frequently asked questions

Why is cold-smoked salmon unsafe during pregnancy?

Cold-smoking only warms the fish to ~90 °F, which doesn't kill Listeria monocytogenes. Pregnant women are 10× more likely to contract listeriosis and can pass it to the baby, causing miscarriage or stillbirth.

What about smoked salmon on a bagel from a coffee shop?

The salmon in a bagel + lox combo is almost always cold-smoked. Unless the salmon has been heated through, skip it during pregnancy.

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More foods to check

Sushi Tuna Salmon Shrimp Swordfish Mackerel Raw Oysters Brie Feta Blue Cheese Goat Cheese Unpasteurized Milk

This page is informational only and is not medical advice. Always consult your OB-GYN, midwife, or registered dietitian about your specific pregnancy nutrition questions — particularly if you have gestational diabetes, food allergies, or other complications.