Ham

When safely prepared, ham (honey-free) may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Consider waiting to serve deli meat, glazed ham, and cured ham like prosciutto until the child is older due to an increased risk of foodborne illness. Heating deli meat, prosciutto, and other cured meat until steaming can reduce the risk of illness; just let it cool before serving to baby. Wait until after the first birthday to offer ham that contains honey, due to the risk of infant botulism.

Ham refers to the upper portion of a pig’s hind leg. The cut can be purchased raw (also called fresh ham) or preserved with brine, salt, or smoke—preservation methods that have been used for thousands of years. While ham has its origins in Asia and Europe, there are myriad regional specialties, of which many are cured with salt and air, like Jīn huá huǒ tuǐ of China—the forerunner to Spanish jamón serrano, Italian prosciutto, and American country ham.

Babies can have ham (honey-free) as soon as they’re ready to start solids as long as it’s safely prepared. Like other cuts of pork, ham offers plenty of the nutrients babies need, including protein, zinc, choline, and vitamins B6 and B12. While ham can be high in sodium, it is not a cause for concern as part of a balanced diet.

Consider waiting to serve deli meats, cured hams (such as jamon iberico, mortadella, pancetta, prosciutto, and other charcuterie), and glazed hams until the child is older, due to an increased risk of foodborne illness. Deli meats, such as ham, have been implicated in a number of outbreaks of foodborne illness, namely Listeria. If you decide to share a taste, you can reduce the risk of foodborne illness by heating the meat until steaming; just let it cool before offering to baby. Lastly, make sure to avoid offering glazed ham or other deli meats made with honey before the first birthday due to the risk of infant botulism.

No. Ham is not a common food allergen, although reactions to pork have been reported. Certain tick bites (mainly the Lone Star tick in the continental United States, but other ticks in different parts of the world), are associated with the development of an allergy to galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose (“alpha gal”), a sugar which is present in many red meats. This results in a delayed allergic reaction 3-8 hours after the consumption of red meat, such as ham. However, some individuals with alpha gal allergy also react to small amounts of the sugar present in dairy products, gelatin, or organ tissues from mammals. Alpha gal allergy is more prevalent in the southeastern United States but is starting to become more common in other areas as the geographic distribution of the Lone Star tick expands. Although rare, some individuals with cat allergies may also develop a cross-reactive allergy to pork products, a condition known as pork-cat syndrome.

As you would do when introducing any new food, start by serving a small amount at first. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the amount served over future meals.

Yes. Chunks and cubes of meat are firm and difficult to chew, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve ham in an age-appropriate way. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within arm’s reach of baby at mealtime. For more information on choking, visit our sections on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.

Ultimately, there is no “best” age to introduce these products; rather, it is a personal decision for which you must calculate risk. It is generally recommended to wait until the child is older or holding off on regularly serving deli meats, cured hams (such as prosciutto and jamon iberico), and glazed hams due to the risk of foodborne illness. Deli meats, such as ham, have also been implicated in a number of outbreaks of foodborne illness, namely Listeria. To reduce the risk of foodborne illness, especially for babies, young children, and any other immunocompromised individuals, heat deli meats until steaming and let cool before offering. Avoid offering glazed ham or other deli meats made with honey before the first birthday due to the risk of infant botulism.