Food Safety During Pregnancy — What to Avoid and Why

The Listeria risk during pregnancy

Listeria monocytogenes is the pathogen of greatest concern during pregnancy. While the mother may experience only mild flu-like symptoms, Listeria infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection in the newborn. The CDC recommends that pregnant women avoid deli meats, hot dogs (unless steaming hot), smoked seafood, raw sprouts, soft cheeses, and unpasteurized dairy.

Other foodborne risks in pregnancy

Beyond Listeria, pregnant women should avoid raw or undercooked meat (Toxoplasma risk), raw or undercooked seafood and high-mercury fish (tuna, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish), raw eggs, and unpasteurized juice. Salmonella infection during pregnancy can cause premature labor and neonatal infection, though it's less frequently fatal than Listeria for the baby.

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