can I eat smoked salmon?
In the UK, cold-smoked salmon is considered safe to eat during pregnancy, though the NHS notes it's a lower-risk choice when it has been kept properly chilled. In the US, guidance advises avoiding refrigerated smoked fish unless it's cooked into a hot dish.
why it matters
Cold-smoked salmon isn't cooked, so it can occasionally carry listeria — a bacterium that is rare but more serious in pregnancy. The risk is small and UK authorities consider it acceptable; US authorities prefer you heat it until steaming first.
how to have it safely
If you'd rather be extra careful, use smoked salmon in cooked dishes — a salmon pasta, tart or scrambled eggs where it's heated until steaming hot kills any listeria.
worth knowing
- UK (NHS, updated guidance): smoked salmon is fine to eat in pregnancy.
- US (FDA): avoid refrigerated smoked seafood unless it is cooked in a dish, such as a casserole; shelf-stable tinned smoked salmon is fine.
- Keep it well chilled, eat packs soon after opening, and respect use-by dates.
- Hot-smoked salmon (flaky, fully cooked texture) carries less risk than cold-smoked slices.
common questions
Can I eat smoked salmon on a bagel while pregnant?
In the UK, yes — current NHS guidance says smoked salmon is fine in pregnancy. If you're following stricter US advice, choose a version where the salmon is cooked, or heat it until steaming.
Is hot-smoked salmon safer than cold-smoked?
Slightly, yes. Hot-smoking cooks the fish through, which reduces the listeria risk that comes with cold-smoked, ready-to-eat fish.
also in fish & seafood
Aligned with guidance from the NHS, FDA and WHO. This is general information, not personal medical advice — check with your midwife or doctor about your own situation. How we write.