Foodborne illness and pregnancy

The risks for foodborne illness are high during pregnancy. Pregnant people and their unborn babies can become very sick from it. In rare cases, they can even die because of it.

Why is foodborne illness more dangerous during pregnancy? Well, it is because of the way the human body works.

A person's immune system changes during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body goes through hormonal changes. These hormonal changes have an effect on a person's immune system. These changes during pregnancy can make foodborne illness more severe. Plus, during pregnancy, an unborn baby’s immune system is still developing. This puts unborn babies at higher risk for foodborne illness.

For these reasons, pregnant people need to be extra careful about food. They should take care to avoid bacteria like Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella. During pregnancy, a person should also take care to avoid Toxoplasma gondii. This is a harmful parasite sometimes found in cat litter boxes. And, it can cause a serious illness called toxoplasmosis. Learn more about toxoplasmosis.

The dangers of listeriosis

Listeriosis is a disease caused by a bacteria called Listeria. Eating food contaminated with Listeria can cause listeriosis. Listeriosis can cause premature delivery, or miscarriage. It can cause birth defects and illnesses for the baby. Sadly, it can also result in the death of a newborn baby.

The CDC says that those who are pregnant are 10 times more likely than other people to get listeriosis. The CDC also says that pregnant Hispanic people are 24 times more likely than others to get it.

Are there foods I should avoid during pregnancy?

Yes. There are certain foods to avoid during pregnancy. Avoiding these foods can help pregnant people avoid listeriosis. Other people at risk for this disease should also avoid these foods.

Avoid soft cheeses that are not pasteurized. This includes queso fresco, queso blanco, and panela (queso panela). It also includes brie, camembert, blue-veined, or feta. Look for the word “pasteurized” on the label.
Avoid other milk products that are “raw” or not pasteurized. This includes ice cream and yogurt made from raw milk. Look for the word “pasteurized” on the label.
Avoid raw seafood.
Avoid raw sprouts.
Avoid eating hot dogs, lunch meats, cold cuts, other deli meats (such as bologna), or fermented or dry sausages. Or, make sure they are heated to an internal temperature of 165°F. They should be steaming hot just before serving.
Avoid refrigerated pâté or meat spreads.
Avoid cold smoked fish. You can have smoked fish if it is canned or shelf-stable. Or, you can have it in a cooked dish, such as a casserole.