Information for a Healthy Pregnancy: Listeria
What is Listeria?Listeria is a common bacterium (bug) which is found in dust, soil, water, plants, sewage and animal droppings.
How are pregnant women infected by Listeria?Listeria can be transmitted to pregnant women by infected food. The bug has been found in a variety of foods at all stages. Listeria will still grow on food which has been stored in a fridge.
How do I prevent Listeria?The following foods are safe to eat when pregnant:
- Most foods which have been cooked to piping hot and eaten straight away.
- Fruit and vegetables which have been well washed.
- Breads and cereals (without added mock creams or custard)
- Dried food ( fruit, nuts, lentils, beans etc)
- Pasteurised milk and milk products, yoghurt, cheese etc
Do not eat the following foods:
- Chilled pre-cooked seafood products, unless eaten hot.
- Pate, pre-cooked chicken, ham and other chilled pre-cooked meat products.
- Uncooked seafood
- Stored salads and coleslaws, especially from delicatessens or supermarket.
- Raw (unpasteurised milk)
Safe ways to handle food at home
- Keep uncooked meats separate from vegetables and from cooked foods and ready to eat foods.
- Wash hands, knives and cutting boards thoroughly with hot water and soap after handling uncooked foods.
- Cook left over food until piping hot.
- Wash all fresh food carefully before eating it.