LISTERIA-RISK FOODS PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD AVOID

I have written a number of blogs on L. monocytogenes, as I believe it to be one of the greatest food threats of our age. This bacterium can turn up anywhere since it is frequently present in the soil and can be on animals. It is also carried by an important percentage of food plant workers, and can hide in machinery used for food processing.

Several of my earlier posts have talked about which foods to avoid if you are in a high risk category (see previous post) - as in the case of pregnant women and some other people with weakened immune systems.

Below is an "avoid" list from Australia ( the NSW Government) which I think is pretty good (I am quoting except for some slight editing). But I am getting the feeling that no list is really complete (for instance, this one does not have whole melons on it).

Generally speaking anyone at high risk of listeriosis should not eat:

• pre-packed cold salads including coleslaw and fresh fruit salad
• pre-cut fruit
• pre-cooked cold chicken
• cold delicatessen meats
• paté
• raw seafood
• smoked seafood (for example, smoked salmon)
• unpasteurised milk or milk products
• soft cheeses such as brie, camembert, ricotta, or blue-vein (unless cooked and eaten whilst hot)
• sprouted seeds
• raw mushrooms


To your good health,

TSF