Author: Belinda Martin, Accredited Practising Dietitian | PREGNANCY NUTRITION
Do you have to take Listeria seriously? Yes! Yes you do. Listeriosis is a rare illness caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria called listeria monocytogenes. Tragically, it has been confirmed that the most recent case of listeria monocytogenes has resulted in the death of an elderly women in Dandenong South, Victoria after eating contaminated meals on wheels. You may get well-meaning advice from your mum or mother in law saying that ‘we didn’t need to worry about that in our day’. Well, ignorance is bliss. Now we know that infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth and infection of the newborn. So, of course we want to be cautious. Pregnant women and the foetus, newborns, the elderly and people with impaired immune systems (eg people on cancer treatment or on steroids) are at high risk of getting listeriosis. It doesn’t mean you need to stay at home and never eat out but here’s how it can be prevented, a list of foods to avoid and foods to include.
How is it prevented?
AVOID the high risk foods listed below
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after preparing food
- Thoroughly wash knives and cutting boards after handling uncooked foods
- Wash your hands after handling animals
- Store perishable food appropriately in a cold refrigerator (<5oC) and eat as soon as possible
- Thoroughly cook all raw food that comes from animals (beef, chicken, lamb, pork)
- Thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruit before eating
- Keep raw meat separate from vegetables, cooked foods and ready to eat foods
- Use separate chopping boards for raw meats and other foods
Higher risk foods to AVOID (unless COOKED THOROUGHLY and eaten while hot)
- Cold cooked chicken
- Cold processed meats
- Soft and semi-soft cheese
- Unpasteurised milk and dairy products
- Soft serve ice-cream
- Raw seafood and cold smoked salmon
- Pre-prepared or prepacked cold salads
- Pre-cut fruit or pre-prepared fruit salad
- Pate
- Sprouted seeds and raw mushroom
- Raw eggs – due to risk from another bacteria called Salmonella
SAFER alternatives
- Freshly cooked meat, chicken, seafood that is steaming hot
- Hard cheeses and pasteurised dairy products
- Canned foods
- Freshly washed and prepared fruit, vegetables and salads
- Eggs cooked so the yolks begin to thicken
Incidents of listeria in Australia are rare but 1 out of 10 listeriosis cases occur in pregnant women and let’s face it, avoiding these foods for 9 months of your life is not the end of the world.
What you can and can’t eat during pregnancy can be confusing. If you would like a more detailed and individual approach, book in to see us.
About the Author
Belinda Martin is a Perth Dietitian specialising in pregnancy nutrition, infant nutrition and paediatric nutrition. She is the co-founder of Advanced Dietitians Group and loves working with people and families. She has been a dietitian for 20 years. She has worked as a Senior Dietitian and Paediatric Dietitian in various teaching hospitals in Western Australia and the United Kingdom. When she is not working, she is trying to tame a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old (and a 40+ year old) at home.
About Advanced Dietitians Group
Advanced Dietitians Group was founded in 2014 by Belinda Martin and Ingrid Roche, Perth dietitians with a combination of over 40 years’ experience in the industry. Both dietitians have a range of experience across the lifespan but specialise in paediatric nutrition, pregnancy nutrition, infant nutrition and allergies. They provide up to date evidence-based nutrition advice. This coupled with their wealth of experience in dietetics ensures you get the best possible nutrition service. They get a buzz out of helping their clients and their families.
