Food Safety in Pregnancy

By | April 23rd, 2016 | Comments Off on Food Safety in Pregnancy

Although foodborne illnesses can affect everyone, pregnant women are more susceptible to certain foodborne bacteria and they can be serious for both a pregnant woman and her baby. Proper food handling and avoiding certain foods can help decrease the risk of foodborne illness during pregnancy.

Recommendations for pregnant women include:

  • avoid raw/under-cooked meat & fish including sushi and raw oysters
  • avoid unpasteurized milk or milk products, soft cheeses (feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined, Mexican queso fresco), deli foods, deli meats (cold cuts, salami, prosciutto etc.) pâté, refrigerated smoked seafood
  • avoid raw or runny eggs or foods made with raw eggs such as eggnog, Caesar salad dressing, homemade ice cream & raw cookie dough
  • avoid unpasteurized juice
  • avoid raw sprouts (alfalfa, clover, mung bean etc.)
  • reheat leftovers, cold cuts and hotdogs until steaming hot
  • frequent hand washing before food preparation (especially after caring for child, changing diapers),wash fruits and vegetables
  • clean and disinfect all food surfaces after food handling
  • avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, tuna steaks due to high levels of mercury (other fish, including canned tuna can be eaten in moderation: about 1-2 meals per week)

For more information see:

BC Centres for Disease Control

Healthlink BC

A helpful brochure from Government of Canada (see safe food handling for pregnant women) . You can also see all current food recalls at this site.