Did you know that the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can affect your immune system, making you more susceptible to a foodborne illness? While it is important for all individuals to handle and prepare food safely, it becomes even more important during pregnancy as you are protecting yourself and your unborn baby.
Food safety starts at the grocery store. In your grocery cart, it is important that you keep 
ready-to-eat foods separate from raw meat, poultry, seafood and their juices. Keep produce in the clear plastic bags that are provided. When you get your groceries home, put raw meat, poultry, fish and seafood on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator so that the juices from these items do not drip onto other foods. If you use reusable bags to carry your groceries, you should wash them frequently, especially the ones that carry raw meat or seafood.
The first step in handling food safely is to make sure you are washing your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. You should wash your hands before and after you handle food as well as every time after you use the restroom, change a diaper or touch an animal. When you are preparing raw poultry, meat or seafood, it’s important to wash any knives, cutting boards or preparation areas that are used with hot soapy water to avoid cross contamination. Another food safety tip is to make sure that you wash all produce well – even those that have skins or rinds that you do not eat.
In addition to handling food safely, it is important to cook your foods safely. To ensure you are cooking meat, poultry and eggs to a safe temperature, it is recommended that you use a food thermometer. Below are the USDA-FDA recommended safe minimum internal temperatures:
- Beef, pork, veal, lamb (steaks, roasts and chops): cook to 145°F with three minute rest time
- Fish: cook to 145°F
- Beef, pork, veal and lamb (ground): cook to 160°F
- Egg dishes: cook to 160°
- Turkey, chicken and duck (whole, pieces and ground): cook to 165°F
When you are pregnant, it is also recommended that you heat hot dogs and deli/lunch meats to steaming hot (and then let them cool) before eating. Heating these meats kills harmful bacteria that can grow on these foods. Below is a list of other foods that should be avoided during pregnancy so that your chances of acquiring a foodborne illness are minimized.
- Raw/undercooked meat, poultry or seafood
- Refrigerated smoked fish and precooked seafood such as shrimp, crab and seafood salads
- Refrigerated pates and meat spreads
- Raw sprouts and unwashed fruits and vegetables
- Soft cheeses made from raw milk (feta, brie, camembert, blue-veined cheeses, queso fresco, queso blanco, Panela)
- Raw or undercooked eggs
- Raw (unpasteurized) milk and milk products
- Unpasteurized juice (fresh squeezed or chilled)
Pregnancy and preparing for your new baby is an exciting time. Using the tips above as well as the information found in the links below can help you stay safe and healthy as you eat and handle food during pregnancy.
Additional links:
- Fish Facts for Pregnant Women: Learn what types of fish are okay to eat during pregnancy and which types should be avoided.
- Food Safety for Pregnant Women: Learn more about this topic from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service
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