Deli and packaged meats are the epitome in convenience food””tasty and available in a wide variety of low-fat, low-sodium options. All-natural and organic labels make them even more attractive.
The down side of deli meats is that they tend to be high in fat and sodium, and, if they are not stored properly they can become contaminated with listeria monocytogenes (or, simply, listeria).
Listeria
Deli meats that have been stored beyond their shelf lives can become contaminated with the bacteria listeria. According to the CDC, pregnant women are 20 times more likely than other adults to become infected. Infection in pregnant women can lead to miscarriage or serious health complications in newborns.
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