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Deli Meats Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to deli meat products
Also known as lunch meat or cold cuts, deli meats are precooked or cured meats sliced to serve. You can enjoy them hot or cold, usually served on sandwiches or a tray. With more than half of the American population eating sandwiches each day, odds are you're enjoying one topped with deli meat.
FAQs about deli meats
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that pregnant women should avoid eating luncheon meats, including deli meats, unless they're heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or until steaming hot right before serving.
This is because listeria is associated with deli meats, and pregnant women have compromised immune systems that make them more likely to contract listeria. Complications arising from listeria include preterm labor, miscarriage, and infections.
If you're pregnant and can't resist deli meat cravings, take the CDC's advice and heat them to an internal minimum temperature of 165°F to kill the bacteria.
Once you put the package of deli meat in the refrigerator, the clock starts ticking on how long you have to enjoy it. Try to eat the meat within 3-5 days after you open the package. If you purchased meat sliced fresh from the deli, you need to eat it within 3 days. Anything longer than that runs the risk of growing bacteria and listeria. You can also store deli meats in the freezer for up to 2 months.