cold cuts

laur05

Can someone please tell me how long to put cold cuts in the microwave in order for them to be safe to eat?  I've been having huge cravings for some ham or turkey...Thanks in advance

hollster8

I don't know what your doctor said to you (do whatever he/she tells you!) but mine said that cold cut meats are fine as long as they are fresh.  He said no need to microwave anything.  He told me that there was just a scare with one case and that it shouldn't be something I need to worry a ton about.  The only thing he mentioned was not eating more than 2 cans of tuna a week.

Syncronicity09

My Dr. said to heat lunchmeat. My guess is if they are hot (not just warm or room temp) you should be fine. But I can't even think about eating lunch meat right now, so I can't give you any times.

 

ETA: The link to the USDA website on the issue

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/Protect_Your_Baby/index.asp

LIa0909

The concern with luncheon meat is listeria, a foodborne illness which is more likely to be serious in pregnant women and can cause issues with the baby as serious as miscarriage.

My doc also said cold cuts that were fresh and in moderation are fine. the chances of catching listeria are about as high as catching any other foodborne illness from ANY other food. (she compared it to the likelihood of getting e. coli from spinach... NOT likely but yeah, its happened)

That being said, the bacteria is killed at 160 degrees farenheit so if your doc says you should warm your sandwich meat for further prevention, than that is the advice I would stick to and thats the temp you want to achieve. Microwaved lunch meat sounds kinda gross to me... but I love a french dip style sandwich, stewing the meat in a delicious broth before putting it on a crusty roll, yum (I just made myself hungry)

rhythmicgoldfish

(sorry im lurking because i have a friend due during june)

 

my doctor told me that i could heat cold cuts in batches and store them properly in the refrigerator 

the threat of lysteriosis(not sure how it is spelled) is  due to improper handling, so as long as you kill any pre-existing bacteria and handle your meat properly afterward you can still enjoy cold cold cuts