Can you eat hot dogs when pregnant?

Last modified on Monday 15 June 2020

Two hotdogs in bread buns with mustard, gherkins and onion

Charlotte Thomas

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Find out if it's safe to eat hot dogs during pregnancy, plus precautions to take to keep you and your baby healthy.

The official advice on eating hot dogs in pregnancy

It's OK to eat hot dogs when you're pregnant, just make sure they're thoroughly cooked first.

Although the hot-dog sausages and frankfurters you can buy in the supermarket are often pre-cooked, many still say they need cooking thoroughly before eating. This is to kill off any bacteria, which may make you ill.

Before preparing hot dogs you should always check the packaging, as some hot dog sausages are also raw or partially cooked. The NHS says that all meat should be well cooked with no trace of pink or blood when you're pregnant.

If you eat raw or undercooked meat there's a small risk of getting toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite that lives in raw meat, soil and cat poo, and can cause miscarriage and complications in pregnancy.

Also bear in mind that hot dogs can be high in salt. The NHS recommends cutting down on salt when you're pregnant, so although fully cooked hot dogs are safe to eat, you may prefer to enjoy them in moderation.