Listeriosis
Listeria is a bacteria found in soil, vegetation, and animal faeces, and once on food it can grow even while the food is in the fridge.
It can cross the placenta and cause miscarriage in early pregnancy, stillbirth or premature birth in later pregnancy, or damage to baby’s nervous system as the bacteria targets the brain and lining of the brain and spinal cord.
There are around 25 cases of listeriosis (listeria infection) every year in Aotearoa, of which about 5 will affect pregnant people. So the risk of getting listeriosis is very low but the consequences of infection are significant.
To help avoid getting listeriosis, many pregnant people avoid high-risk foods (such as those on the second page of this brochure), cooking or reheating food thoroughly, not consuming food past its best-before date, and eating fresh food within two days of opening the package. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for food recalls, as some are related to foodborne illnesses.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite that can infect people who eat uncooked or undercooked meat, unwashed vegetables and fruit. It is also excreted by cats so can be caught when changing litter boxes or gardening where cats have been.
It can cross the placenta and have serious impacts on the baby. The earlier in pregnancy it is caught, the more severe the impact on baby, and 85% of babies born to mothers who are infected with toxoplasmosis in pregnancy will go on to have serious problems. It mainly affects brain and eye development, and can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
There are approximately 15 people diagnosed with acute toxoplasmosis each year in Aotearoa, and around two babies per year will be born with congenital toxoplasmosis. So the risk of becoming infected is low, but the consequences of infection are significant.
To help avoid getting toxoplasmosis, pregnant people and people preparing food for pregnant people can wash hands well before and after preparing food, avoid uncooked and undercooked meats, wash fruit and vegetables well, wear gloves while gardening and wash hands after gardening, and avoid cat faeces.
For more information
- This brochure from the Ministry for Primary Industries has a good overview of food safety in pregnancy
- This page, also from the Ministry for Primary Industries, has similar information
- This page, also from the Ministry for Primary Industries, has a clear list of what is and isn’t considered safe to eat in pregnancy
- This article on Healthify is also full of information
- My page on healthy eating in pregnancy has some more information and links