Protect your unborn baby from Listeria
Publication Date: 2008
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What is Listeria?
Listeria is a bug that can cause an illness like the flu. It can be dangerous for a number of groups including pregnant women, unborn babies and new babies.
A person with a Listeria infection can have symptoms such as fever, tiredness and headache. Sometimes the symptoms are mild, so you might not know you have it.
It is important to avoid getting infected with Listeria, because your unborn baby can get infected too. Even a mild illness can cause you to have a miscarriage or a premature birth or your baby to get meningitis. If you have any concerns about symptoms or illness please consult your General
Practitioner.
How can I avoid getting infected?
You can stay safe from infection by eating freshly cooked or freshly prepared foods and avoiding foods that could contain Listeria.
Listeria can live in meat, milk, butter, cream, yogurt and vegetables. Food that is not cooked, such as salads or food from the fridge, can have Listeria in it.
Food that has been cooked before being sold can also contain Listeria.
Eat freshly cooked or freshly prepared foods
- Eat only freshly cooked food and well-washed freshly prepared
fruit and vegetables
Foods to avoid
- Soft cheeses that are ripened by mould, such as Brie, Camembert,
Stilton and Danish Blue
- Paté made from meat, vegetables or fish*
- Pre-packed salads, coleslaws, and ready-to-eat foods from salad bars and delicatessens.
* Tinned paté is ok
Cook food thoroughly
- Thorough cooking of food kills Listeria bacteria
- Ensure food is cooked thoroughly and piping hot all the way through
- If eating out, order hot meals
Foods to eat only if they are home cooked or reheated fully
- Smoked fish, such as salmon
- Chilled pre-cooked meat, such as ham, chicken, spam
- Cured and smoked meats, such as salami and Parma ham
- Cooked chilled meals that are ready to eat
- Unpasteurised milk and food made from unpasteurised milk
How can I protect myself and my baby from Listeria?
Clean
Wash all fruit, vegetables and salad fully just before
you eat them.
Cook
Cook food right through and serve it when it is still
very hot.
Chill
Make sure that your fridge is at 5°C or below.
Put chilled food in the fridge straight away and eat it
as soon as possible.
Throw out food that has passed the ‘use by’ or the
‘best before’ date.
Separate
Keep cooked food and raw food away from each other.
Where can I go for more information?
If you are worried or have any questions, talk to your doctor.