Can You Eat Smoked Salmon When Breastfeeding?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against NHS: food and drinks to avoid when breastfeeding · Last updated 28 October 2026
Yes, within the limit. Smoked Salmon is an oily fish, so it counts towards the NHS maximum of 2 portions of oily fish a week while breastfeeding. The listeria warning for smoked fish is a pregnancy rule.
What the guidance says
Smoking doesn't change what the fish is. Smoked salmon, trout, mackerel and cured salmon (gravlax) are all oily fish, so they count towards the 2-portion weekly limit. The advice to avoid cold-smoked fish applies to pregnancy, because of listeria. It isn't on the breastfeeding list. Smoked fish can be salty.
You can also check the calorie content of smoked salmon alongside its safety information.
Breastfeeding mothers are not on the official 'higher-risk' list
We read the Food Standards Scotland/FSA advisory on ready-to-eat cold-smoked and cured fish directly (published 27 July 2023). It names a specific higher-risk group and gives them specific advice.
| Who | On the higher-risk list? | Advice given |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnant women | Yes | Avoid, or cook until steaming hot throughout first |
| People with weakened immune systems (cancer, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, or on immune-weakening medicines) | Yes | Avoid, or cook until steaming hot throughout first |
| Older people | Not in the formal group, but flagged as more vulnerable as listeriosis becomes more serious with age | Be aware of the risk |
| Breastfeeding mothers | Not named | No specific advice given; the oily-fish portion limit is the one rule that does apply |
"Simply warming the fish during meal preparation isn't hot enough to kill listeria," the advisory says, for anyone who does choose to cook it first. Heat-treated products such as tinned smoked salmon can be eaten without further cooking.
The rule that does remain: oily fish portions
Smoked salmon counts as oily fish. The NHS breastfeeding page caps oily fish at 2 portions a week because of mercury and other contaminants that build up in the fish over its lifetime, which is a different reason entirely from the listeria question above, and does apply while breastfeeding.
Sources checked
Everything in the sections above was checked against these pages on 28 October 2026.
- Food Standards Scotland / FSA: Updated advice to higher-risk consumers on ready-to-eat cold-smoked and cured fish (published 27 July 2023) — higher-risk group defined as pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems; cooking advice; heat-treated exception
- NHS: Food and drinks to avoid when breastfeeding (published 21 July 2023, modified 28 January 2026) — 2 portions a week oily fish cap while breastfeeding
As an Amazon Associate, CJ Affiliate and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
Breastfeeding essentials
Insulated water bottle
Feeding is thirsty work — a litre bottle by the chair saves endless refills.
Check Price →Snack storage boxes
One-handed snacks within reach make night feeds far more civilised.
Check Price →Links open your local Amazon store. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Want to know exactly what's in your food? Our ingredient checker covers E-numbers, allergens and vegan status.
More for the feeding months
Smoked Salmon: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| In pregnancy | Avoid unless cooked |
| Past the date on the label | No — use-by means use by |
Common questions
Is smoked salmon safe while breastfeeding?
Yes, within the limit. Smoked Salmon is an oily fish, so it counts towards the NHS maximum of 2 portions of oily fish a week while breastfeeding. The listeria warning for smoked fish is a pregnancy rule.
Does smoked salmon count as one of my 2 oily fish portions?
Yes. Smoked and cured oily fish count towards the same weekly allowance as fresh.
Was smoked fish off the menu in pregnancy?
Cold-smoked fish was avoided in pregnancy unless cooked, because of listeria. That reason ends at birth.
Was this different during pregnancy?
Yes. In pregnancy our verdict was “avoid unless cooked”, because of a risk to the unborn baby (see our pregnancy guide). Those reasons ended when your baby was born.
What should I avoid while breastfeeding?
The NHS list is short. Caffeine: try not to have more than 300mg a day (a mug of filter coffee is about 140mg, instant 100mg, tea 75mg). Alcohol: it is safer not to drink, but 1 or 2 units once or twice a week should be fine. Oily fish: no more than 2 portions a week. Shark, swordfish and marlin: no more than 1 portion a week. Peanuts are fine unless you're allergic. Most other foods that were off the menu in pregnancy, such as soft cheese, pâté, cured meat and runny eggs, are not restricted.
Do breastfeeding mothers need to avoid smoked salmon for listeria, the way pregnant women do?
The official higher-risk group named in the Food Standards Scotland/FSA advisory on cold-smoked and cured fish is pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Breastfeeding mothers are not named in that group.
If I want to be extra careful, how do I make smoked salmon safer?
Cook it until steaming hot all the way through. The advisory is explicit that briefly warming it during cooking is not hot enough to kill listeria; it needs to reach steaming hot throughout. Tinned or other heat-treated smoked fish needs no extra cooking.
Related answers
Primary source: NHS: food and drinks to avoid when breastfeeding.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.