Some pregnant women avoid eating fish due to mercury and other contaminants found in some fish species.
Yet, fish is a healthy source of lean protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. The FDA even says that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should eat 8 to 12 ounces (227 to 340 grams) of low mercury fish every week (1).
Salmon is considered low in mercury. Still, since some varieties are undercooked, you might wonder whether it’s safe to eat smoked salmon during pregnancy.
In short, cold-smoked salmon is undercooked while hot-smoked salmon should be fully cooked when prepared properly.
Due to the health risks of eating undercooked seafood, pregnant women should not eat cold-smoked salmon.
It’s common to see various smoked salmon products at grocery stores or on restaurant menus. Sometimes these products come packaged in vacuum-sealed pouches or tin cans.
Often, food labels state the smoking method. Some even note that the product is pasteurized, which indicates that the fish has been cooked.
You should ask a server or call the company if you’re not sure if a product has been hot- or cold-smoked.
Is Philadelphia Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Safe To Eat During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy comes with a whole host of food restrictions and guidelines. Many pregnant women avoid smoked salmon due to concerns about listeria and other bacteria. But what about smoked salmon cream cheese spreads like Philadelphia? Are these safe for pregnant women to eat?
The answer is yes – Philadelphia smoked salmon cream cheese is perfectly safe to eat during pregnancy when handled properly. Here’s what you need to know about smoked salmon cream cheese listeria, and other health considerations for pregnant women.
Smoked Salmon Concerns During Pregnancy
Smoked salmon is a controversial food for pregnant women. On one hand, salmon is a great source of healthy fats, protein, B vitamins, selenium, and other nutrients important during pregnancy. But there are also risks with some types of smoked salmon:
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Cold smoked salmon is not fully cooked during processing. This means cold smoked varieties like lox can still contain harmful listeria, parasites, and other bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Listeria is especially dangerous during pregnancy as it can lead to miscarriage, preterm birth, and illness or death of newborns.
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Hot smoked salmon is cooked to safe temperatures to kill bacteria. However, if proper food handling procedures were not followed, hot smoked salmon can also pose a minimal risk. It’s best to reheat hot smoked salmon to 165°F at home before eating to ensure safety.
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Salt-cured salmon like gravlax and nova is not cooked at all. So like cold smoked, salt-cured salmon also carries a higher listeria risk in pregnancy.
So while smoked salmon does provide some nutritional benefits it also requires caution during pregnancy. But what about when smoked salmon is combined with cream cheese?
Why Philadelphia Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Is Safe
Unlike cold smoked salmon alone, smoked salmon cream cheese spreads like Philadelphia pose minimal risks during pregnancy for a few key reasons:
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The cream cheese base has been pasteurized. Cream cheese on its own is safe in pregnancy as it’s made from pasteurized milk which kills any bacteria like listeria.
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Salt acts as a preservative. Salt lowers water content in foods, making it harder for bacteria like listeria to grow. There’s extra salt in smoked salmon cream cheese from both the cream cheese and salmon.
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Texture change indicates spoilage. Listeria causes cream cheese to break down and become runny or watery. As long as the texture appears normal, it’s a sign of safety.
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Added lemon juice increases acidity. Many smoked salmon cream cheeses also contain lemon juice or citric acid. The extra acidity further prevents bacterial growth by creating an unfavorable environment.
As long as smoked salmon cream cheese maintains its normal thick, creamy texture during its shelf life, it’s very unlikely for harmful pathogens to grow and multiply to dangerous levels. Of course, it’s still smart to look for any signs of spoilage like mold, sliminess, or a rancid smell before eating.
Other Tips For Safe Consumption
Along with choosing a pasteurized product and checking for signs of spoilage, here are some other tips for safely eating smoked salmon cream cheese spreads during pregnancy:
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Check the “best by” date. Don’t eat any smoked salmon cream cheese that has passed its expiration date, even if it looks normal. Pathogens can grow over time.
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Properly store after opening. Keep the product refrigerated at 40°F or colder after opening and discard within 7-10 days of opening. Don’t let it sit at room temperature.
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Avoid cross-contamination. Use a clean knife and plate each time you scoop out cream cheese. Don’t let it touch other foods, especially raw meats and fish.
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Heat until steaming before eating. For extra precaution, pregnant women can gently heat the cream cheese until steaming (not boiling) before eating. This further kills any bacteria.
As long as you take these proper storage, handling, and cooking precautions, smoked salmon cream cheese spreads like Philadelphia pose very minimal risks during pregnancy. Of course, always consult your doctor about any specific food safety concerns or restrictions you may have too.
Nutrition Profile of Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese
So why might pregnant women want to eat smoked salmon cream cheese anyway? Let’s look at some of the main nutritional benefits:
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Protein for tissue growth. Pregnancy increases your protein needs. The combination of smoked salmon and cream cheese provides quality, complete proteins.
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Omega-3s for fetal brain development. Smoked salmon contains anti-inflammatory omega-3s EPA and DHA, which are critical for your baby’s brain, nerve, and vision development.
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Vitamin D for bone health. Smoked salmon also provides vitamin D, which is crucial for mom and baby’s bone development but often lacking.
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Calcium for muscles and nerves. Cream cheese contributes calcium, also vital for healthy bone mineralization as your baby’s skeleton develops.
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Vitamin B12 for energy. Smoked salmon is high in vitamin B12, which gives you an energy boost and helps form your baby’s nervous system.
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Phosphorus for growth. Phosphorus supports your expanding blood volume as well as your baby’s bone and tissue growth. Both smoked salmon and cream cheese provide phosphorus.
As you can see, a smoked salmon cream cheese spread makes for a well-rounded snack or quick meal that provides a lot of nutritional benefits for expecting mothers. Just be sure to savor it safely using the tips above.
The Bottom Line
While cold smoked salmon alone is off-limits for pregnant women, smoked salmon cream cheese products like Philadelphia are perfectly fine to eat. The pasteurized dairy, salt, acidity, and proper handling procedures make these spreads safe from listeria and other hazardous bacteria. Just always inspect the product before eating and take care to store it properly. When enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet, smoked salmon cream cheese can be a nutritious choice during pregnancy.
Other names for cold-smoked salmon
Cold-smoked salmon may be labeled under a different name, such as:
Lox and gravlax style salmon have been cured in salt but not smoked. As such, they’re considered uncooked fish. Fish jerky that has been kept in the fridge is thought to be undercooked, but jerky that has been canned or stored on a shelf is safe to eat during pregnancy without any extra cooking (11).
One 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of smoked salmon provides numerous beneficial nutrients for pregnant women. These include (2):
- Calories: 117
- Fat: 4 grams
- Protein: 18 grams
- Carbs: 0 grams
- Vitamin B12: 136% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin D: 86% of the DV
- Vitamin E: 9% of the DV
- Selenium: 59% of the DV
- Iron: 5% of the DV
- Zinc: 3% of the DV
Fish is rich in many of the nutrients necessary for healthy fetal growth and development, such as iodine and vitamins B12 and D (3).
Compared with other sources of protein, fish is often higher in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. DHA is especially important during pregnancy because it helps the brain develop in the fetus. It has also been linked to better development in babies and kids (4).
Moreover, many studies on eating fish while pregnant show that the advantages of doing so far outweigh the possible risks for the brain development of babies (3, 4, 5, 6).
Still, there are several risks associated with eating cold-smoked salmon.
High risk of listeria
Eating raw or undercooked fish like cold-smoked salmon may cause several viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections.
This is especially true for women who are pregnant, who are up to 18 times more likely than other people to get Listeria. This infection can pass directly to a fetus through the placenta (7, 8, 9).
This foodborne illness is caused by Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Although the symptoms range from very mild to severe in pregnant women themselves, the illness can cause severe and even fatal side effects for unborn babies (7, 10).
Listeria in pregnant women and unborn babies can result in (7, 11):
- premature delivery
- low birth weight of newborns
- meningitis (inflammation around the brain and spinal corn)
- miscarriages
Some signs of Listeria in pregnant women include flu-like symptoms, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. If you are pregnant and these symptoms show up, you should call your doctor right away because you might have Listeria.
To reduce your risk, it’s best to avoid raw or undercooked fish like cold-smoked salmon, as well as other sources like deli meats while pregnant (12, 13, 14).
To ensure Listeria bacteria have been killed, you should heat even hot-smoked salmon to 165℉ (74℃) before eating it (11, 15).
Philadelphia Smokey Salmon Cream Cheese
FAQ
Can I eat smoked salmon cream cheese while pregnant?
Is Philadelphia cream cheese safe for pregnancy?
Is Philadelphia cream cheese spread pasteurized?
Is smoked salmon pregnancy safe?
Can pregnant women eat smoked salmon?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even recommends that pregnant and breastfeeding women eat 8–12 ounces (227–340 grams) of low mercury fish each week (1). Salmon is considered low in mercury. Still, since some varieties are undercooked, you might wonder whether it’s safe to eat smoked salmon during pregnancy.
Is it safe to consume beer and cheese during pregnancy?
The consumption of beer or any alcoholic beverage is strongly discouraged during pregnancy because of its potent teratogenic effect. Its effects are on the development of the neural tube that could generate different degrees of neurological damage. Cheese consumption is safe during pregnancy.
Can I eat salmon sushi If I’m Pregnant?
Salmon sushi is mostly made of raw fish. A study on Listeria in salmon sushi showed an exponential increase in their count over three days. Hence, avoid salmon sushi, especially if raw, during pregnancy. However, you may consider eating cooked salmon sushi ( 8 ).
Is smoked salmon safe to eat?
It is safe for consumption if it is part of a cooked dish and is stored well. For example, canned or shelf-safe smoked salmon are usually safe for consumption. Its safety also depends on the smoking style used to process the salmon. For example, salmon labeled as lox, nova style, or jerky should be avoided unless part of a cooked meal ( 1 ).