The canned varieties of Vienna sausages are typically made from a blend of meat and are pre-cooked and preserved in chicken broth for maximum flavor retention.

Some Vienna sausage cans boast you can eat them directly, but it’s best to heat them to elevate their flavor and avoid the risk of bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes.

These bacteria are commonly found in meats made from asymptomatic animals and can contaminate pre-cooked meats. They can even grow in fridge-temperature conditions.

Though the sausages are cooked before being canned, listeria contamination can occur if the food comes in contact with the bacteria before canning, so it's better to play it safe.

Eating sausages contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes could give you listeriosis. Symptoms may include fevers, headaches, chills, an upset stomach, or worse.

To prevent this, thoroughly heat the sausages and use a kitchen thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is 165 degrees F. Your sausages should be steaming once fully cooked.