Listeria

Listeria is an intestinal bacteria that enters food through the environment. Listeria contamination can be harmful to the unborn fetus. The Nutrition Center gives a number of tips on how to minimize the risk of a listeria infection during pregnancy.

It is mainly raw products of animal origin that pregnant women should watch out for: it is better not to consume raw milk and raw milk soft cheeses such as brie or camembert at all. Prepackaged fish, shellfish, chicken, and raw meat must be properly heated. Even (cut) vegetables and fruit can be contaminated when raw.

Listeria can multiply during storage and can make you sick. Foods that have grown listeria can give you food poisoning. But for an unborn child, the danger is much greater. A listeria infection that he or she gets through the mother can cause serious illness and even death.

Listeria multiplies easily. Even in a cool and humid climate, such as the refrigerator. The temperature influences the growth process. At 4 degrees, listeria expands half as fast as at a temperature of 7 degrees. That is why it is important to keep products cool and not too long. A cool refrigerator has a maximum temperature of 7 degrees Celsius. Listeria dies at high temperatures (>80 degrees Celsius). You are therefore not at risk with food that you cook, bake, roast and eat immediately afterwards. Do not leave a carton of milk out of the refrigerator for too long and keep a close eye on the expiration date. It is best to eat sliced vegetables and fruit as soon as possible. Then you keep the chance of outgrowth small.