Lunch meats—also known as cold cuts, luncheon meats, cooked meats, sliced meats, cold meats, sandwich meats, delicatessens, and deli meats—are precooked or cured meats that are sliced and served cold or hot. They are typically served in sandwiches or on a tray. They can be purchased canned, pre-sliced (usually in vacuum packs), or they can be sliced to order, most often in delicatessens and charcuteries.
Lunch meats are processed meats designed for convenience. The preservatives added to extend the shelf life have been increasingly scrutinized due to potential links to certain diseases. In the US, Listeria infection is possible and has resulted in additional guidelines from the CDC for the elderly.