Risks and Prevention of Listeriosis in Pregnancy

The multistate outbreak this past summer of Listeriosis linked to frozen vegetables, fresh cut vegetable products and packaged salads shines a spotlight on this dangerous foodborne illness especially for pregnant women. The recent Listeriosis-related death of MMA fighter Chael Sonnen‘s newborn daughter stresses the need for pregnant women to stay vigilant and steer clear of foods that can harbor Listeria.

Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The Centers for Disease Conrol and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about one in seven (14%) cases of Listeria infection occurs during pregnancy and can cause fetal loss (miscarriage or stillbirth), preterm labor, and illness or death in newborn infants.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Listeriosis symptoms may take a few days or even weeks to appear. Most of the time, pregnant women who are infected with listeriosis don’t feel sick but can pass the infection to their unborn babies without even knowing it. Symptoms can include fever, chills, muscle aches, diarrhea or upset stomach, headache, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance. In more serious cases, listeriosis could also lead to the mother’s death.

Specific recommendations. If you are pregnant, the CDC offers these specific recommendations to reduce your risk of contracting this infection and passing it onto your baby.

• Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, other deli meats or fermented or dry sausages unless they are heated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot just before serving.
• Avoid getting fluid from hot dog and lunch meat packages on other foods, utensils, and food preparation surfaces, and wash hands after handling hot dogs, luncheon meats, and deli meats.
• Pay attention to labels. Do not eat refrigerated pâté or meat spreads from a deli or meat counter or from the refrigerated section of a store. Foods that do not need refrigeration, like canned or shelf-stable pâté and meat spreads, are safe to eat. Refrigerate after opening.
• Do not eat soft cheese such as feta, queso blanco, queso fresco, brie, Camembert, blue-veined, or panela (queso panela) unless it is labeled as made with pasteurized milk. Make sure the label says, “MADE WITH PASTEURIZED MILK.” Be aware that Mexican-style cheeses made from pasteurized milk, such as queso fresco, likely contaminated during cheese-making, have caused Listeria infections.
• Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood, unless it is contained in a cooked dish, such as a casserole, or unless it is a canned or shelf-stable product. (Refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, and mackerel, is most often labeled as “nova-style,” “lox,” “kippered,” “smoked,” or “jerky.”)
• Canned and shelf stable tuna, salmon, and other fish products are safe to eat.

General Recommendations. The CDC makes these general food safety recommendations.

• Rinse raw produce, such as fruits and vegetables, thoroughly under running tap water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Even if the produce will be peeled, it should still be washed first.
• Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
• Dry the produce with a clean cloth or paper towel.
• Separate uncooked meats and poultry from vegetables, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods.
• Wash hands, knives, countertops, and cutting boards after handling and preparing uncooked foods.
• Be aware that Listeria monocytogenes can grow in foods in the refrigerator. Use an appliance thermometer, such as a refrigerator thermometer, to check the temperature inside your refrigerator. The refrigerator should be 40°F or lower and the freezer 0°F or lower.
• Clean up all spills in your refrigerator right away–especially juices from hot dog and lunch meat packages, raw meat, and raw poultry.
• Clean the inside walls and shelves of your refrigerator with hot water and liquid soap, then rinse.
• Thoroughly cook raw food from animal sources, such as beef, pork, or poultry to a safe internal temperature.

Because of the significant impact Listeriosis can have on you and your baby, proper precautions and prevention are very important. If you experience any of the above symptoms, see your doctor or healthcare provider immediately.

The Women’s Center works diligently to provide high quality women’s health care with the most comprehensive array of women’s health services in all of Central Florida! Call (407) 857-2502 to schedule an appointment at any of our locations.