How Can I Avoid Food Poisoning During Pregnancy?

You can avoid food poisoning during pregnancy by:

• not eating some foods – see foods to avoid during pregnancy
• washing your hands before handling food
• thoroughly washing all fruit and vegetables, including prepared salads, before eating
• washing your hands, all surfaces and utensils after preparing raw meat
• thoroughly cooking raw meat so there is no trace of pink or blood
• heating ready meals (*pre-packaged meals) until they are piping hot all the way through – this is especially important for meals containing poultry
• keeping leftovers covered in the fridge and using them within 2 days
• eating food before it has passed its “use by” date
• preventing cross-contamination (when harmful bacteria is spread between food, surfaces and equipment)

There are several types of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. These include:

• salmonella
• campylobacter
• listeria

Salmonella

Salmonella is found in:

• raw meat and poultry
• unpasteurised milk
• raw eggs and raw egg products

Although salmonella food poisoning is unlikely to harm your baby, it can cause severe diarrhoea and vomiting.

To reduce your risk of salmonella infection:

• choose British Lion Code of Practice eggs (in the UK) if you want to have raw or partially cooked eggs – these eggs have a red lion logo stamped on their shell and are considered safe to eat runny
• avoid raw or partially cooked eggs that are not part of the lion code, and avoid food that may contain them, such as homemade mayonnaise – cook these eggs until the whites and yolks are solid
• avoid raw or partially cooked meat, especially poultry

Campylobacter

Campylobacter is found in:

• raw and undercooked meat, especially poultry
• unpasteurised milk
• untreated water

You can reduce your risk of campylobacter infection by:

• washing your hands thoroughly before preparing and eating food, and after handling raw food
• not washing raw poultry
• keeping cooked food away from raw food
• cooking food thoroughly, especially meat and poultry, so it’s piping hot
• keeping all kitchen surfaces and equipment clean, such as chopping boards and dish cloths
• not drinking untreated water from lakes, rivers or streams

Listeria

Listeria can cause an infection called listeriosis. Although the infection is rare, even a mild form of listeriosis in a pregnant woman can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or severe illness in newborn babies.

Listeria can be found in unpasteurised milk and in many chilled foods, including:

• pâté
• mould-ripened soft cheeses and soft blue-veined cheeses
• cooked sliced meats
• smoked salmon

You can reduce your risk of listeriosis by:

• not eating certain foods while pregnant, such as some soft cheeses and all types of pâté – see foods to avoid during pregnancy
• not drinking unpasteurised milk – only drink pasteurised or UHT milk
• heating ready meals or reheated food until they’re piping hot all the way through
• making sure your fridge is set at 5C or below and working correctly
• not using food after its “use by” date

Read the answers to more questions about pregnancy.

Further information:

• Why can’t I eat soft cheeses during pregnancy?
• Should I limit caffeine during pregnancy?
• Listeriosis
• Food safety
• Have a healthy diet in pregnancy
• Foods to avoid during pregnancy

 

Editor’s Note:

* Clarification Provided for our U.S. Readers