Eat Safely, Eat Well Food Safety During Pregnancy

Eat Safel y, Eat Well Food Safety During Pregnancy Eat Safely, Eat well Food Safety During Pregnancy

Your pregnancy is an important time. Eating safe and healthy foods is important to you and your baby. There are many things to consider when choosing and preparing food. This information is designed to help you make the best choices for you and your baby.

Why is food safety important during pregnancy?

• Foodborne illness can be caused by eating contaminated food. It can affect everyone, but it can be more serious for you and your baby when you are pregnant.

• During pregnancy your body changes. This Foodborne illness includes how your immune system works. can make your baby These changes may make you more likely to become sick, and certain diseases may cause sick before and after more serious illness for you and your baby. birth. • Foodborne illness can make your baby sick before and after birth. What should I eat during my pregnancy?

• A well-balanced diet with healthy foods and the nutrients that you need for a healthy pregnancy for you and your baby.

• Foods which are properly washed, stored and cooked to prevent foodborne illness.

• Foods which are safe for pregnant women.

How can I keep myself and my baby safe from foodborne illness?

• Bacteria that can cause foodborne illness include Listeria, Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli. • Bacteria can be found in a variety of raw and Choose foods that cooked foods including, meat, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables and dairy. are not considered

• Bacteria that can cause foodborne illness do high-risk. not change the smell, look or taste of your food. Follow safe food • Symptoms of foodborne illness are stomach handling practices. cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and diarrhea.

• Most foodborne illness is unpleasant, but the symptoms usually go away after a few days. During pregnancy there is a risk of more serious complications for you and your baby.

• Proper food handling and taking steps to separate, chill, clean and cook will help to prevent foodborne illness. Listeriosis • Listeriosis is caused by Listeria , a bacteria that can contaminate food and lead to serious illness. Listeriosis can • Listeria is unique because it can be found be prevented by on foods which you do not usually cook and it can grow at refrigerator temperatures. avoiding certain • Foods that Listeria may be found on include: foods and handling unpasteurized cheese and milk, soft and food safely. mould-ripened cheese, deli meats, packaged hot dogs, raw seafood and smoked salmon. • Listeriosis in pregnant women can cause miscarriage or stillbirth, or your baby can be born very sick. • Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. • Listeriosis can be prevented by avoiding certain foods and handling food safely. FOODS TO AVOID SAFER ALTERNATIVES

All unpasteurized cheese and dairy Pasteurized hard cheese and dairy products products All soft cheeses, even if they are Pasteurized hard cheese pasteurized (e.g., Brie, Camembert, (e.g. Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan feta, mould-ripened cheese such as and Colby), or cooked pasteurized Gorgonzola) soft cheese Deli meats (e.g., ham and turkey Deli meats that are cooked until slices, cured meats such as salami steaming hot (to internal tempera - and prosciutto ture of 74° C or 165° F or warmer) Uncooked hot dogs Hot dogs that are cooked until steaming hot (to internal tempera - ture of 74° C or 165° F or warmer)

Refrigerated pâtés and meat spreads Canned pâtés and meat spreads (they do not require refrigeration until after opening)

Refrigerated smoked fish and Canned smoked fish and seafood seafood products (e.g. smoked products (they do not require salmon) refrigeration until after opening) Raw and undercooked meat and fish Cooked meats and fish (e.g., (e.g., sushi, raw oysters, carpaccio, cooked whole chicken breast, steak tartar) roast pork, beef or salmon) Raw egg, egg dishes with runny Cooked eggs (until whites/yolk is whites/yolk or any food items solid) and dishes containing cooked containing raw or under-cooked egg or use pasteurized egg products eggs as an ingredient (e.g. eggnog, tiramisu)

Unpasteurized juice or cider Pasteurized juice or cider Raw sprouts (e.g. alfalfa, mung beans Cooked sprouts until steaming hot and clover) (to internal temperature of 74° C or 165° F or warmer) Safe food handling

Proper cooking, cleaning and storage of your food can remove or reduce the cause of foodborne illness.

There are four key steps in safe food handling:

Raw meat, poultry, fish and seafood can be contaminated with bacteria. These raw foods E should be kept separated from other foods to

T prevent the spread of bacteria. • When shopping keep raw meat, poultry, A fish and seafood separate from other foods

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v a o u r e d s h h o o o e n c c l a S W T f u W T a K n W l f o R t 5 p s s C t U i p t K o o a l a a i o • • • B • • • m • W f B k • • • Nutrition during pregnancy

• Consult with the Canada’s Food Guide, your health care provider, a dietician or other resources such as Baby’s Best Chance to ensure you are getting a well balanced diet with the necessary vitamins and nutrients.

• Choose safer options while pregnant to avoid foodborne illness. Nutritional benefits and risks of fish Fish are an important source of protein and Omega 3 fatty acids which are important for your baby’s brain development. Salmon, trout, sole Some kinds of fish contain higher amounts and BC or Canadian of mercury, a metal that can be harmful to a developing brain. albacore tuna can be eaten in any quantities It is recommended that consumption of: • Ahi tuna (bigeye tuna), escolar, sea-bass, and anytime. shark, marlin, swordfish and barracuda be limited to 2 servings per month (150 grams). • Canned tuna (albacore), cod, bass, rockfish and trout be limited to 4 servings per week (300 grams). • Other fish (salmon, trout, sole and BC or Canadian albacore tuna) can be eaten in any quantities and anytime. Did you know? • Infant botulism is a rare disease that can occur when a child less than one year old swallows spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which are found in dirt and dust and can contaminate honey. Honey should not be fed to newborns. • Avoid gardening and changing cat litter during pregnancy to reduce risk of toxoplasmosis. • Consume refrigerated leftovers within three days or freeze them for later use. • Do not refreeze defrosted food. • Follow all storage and cooking instructions and “best before” dates. Additional references

If you have further questions talk to your health care provider or consult with these additional resources.

BC Centre for Disease Control www.bccdc.ca http://www.bccdc.ca/dis-cond/a-z/_l/ Listeria/overview/Listeriosis.htm

Canada’s Food Guide http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/ food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php

Best Chance Website http://www.bestchance.gov.bc.ca

Baby’s Best Chance http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/ publications/year/2010/bbc.pdf

Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education http://www.canfightbac.org

Healthlink BC http://www.healthlinkbc.ca

Do Bugs Need Drugs? http://www.dobugsneeddrugs.org Notes d e t i m i L n g i s e D c i h p a r G e o C a d n i L 655 West 12th Avenue Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V5Z 4R4 www.bccdc.ca/foodsafetyinpregnancy