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Food safety leads to healthy babies
20 April 2008
Pregnant women are being reminded to watch what they eat following a recent rise in cases of listeriosis.
NSW Health and the NSW Food Authority have issued the warning following the fourth case of listeriosis in a pregnant woman this year.
"Listeriosis is an illness caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes," said Dr Jeremy McAnulty, NSW Health Director of Communicable Diseases.
"Although rare, it is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies. It can also be dangerous for people with suppressed immunity and the elderly.
"Normally we see between 1 and 4 cases per year in pregnant women, so four cases already this year is quite concerning. However no links have been identified among cases and the increase appears to be coincidental. Listeriosis in pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth and infection of the newborn."
Food such as undercooked or raw meat, soft cheeses, unpasteurised milk and pre-prepared or unwashed vegetables can be contaminated with the bacteria.
"In most people, eating foods that contain listeria bacteria does not cause illness. However, some people, such as older people, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, are more susceptible to disease," said Dr McAnulty.
"Signs of listeriosis include flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, and sometimes diarrhoea that can lead to septicemia, meningitis and in some cases, miscarriage in pregnant women.
"If you are pregnant and become unwell with a fever you should seek medical advice."
Dr McAnulty said cases of listeriosis have also increased in the general population with 18 cases reported since January, double the number of cases recorded for the same period last year.
NSW Food Authority chief scientist Dr Lisa Szabo said pregnant women should eat only freshly cooked food and well-washed, freshly prepared fruit and vegetables.
"Foods to be avoided, include:
- pre-packed lettuce & leaf salads - without washing the contents
- pre-made coleslaw, potato & salads from smorgasbords or purchased at retail
- pre-cut fruit & fruit salads
- undercooked meats & cold pre-cooked chicken such as BBQ chickens & diced chicken
- cold, processed meats such as salami, sliced & packaged meats from a delicatessen
- pate
- cold, pre-cooked seafood such as prawns, mussels & smoked fish
- raw seafood including oysters & sushi
- soft cheeses such as brie, camembert, ricotta & blue-vein
- sprouted seeds & raw mushrooms.
"It is important to thoroughly cook raw meats and wash raw vegetables and fruit just before eating. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and foods that are ready-to-eat and most importantly wash your hands before and after handling food," Dr Szabo said.
Pregnant women and health professionals can find a comprehensive, multi-lingual website dealing with pregnancy and food, including foods to avoid to prevent contracting listeriosis at www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/consumer/pregnancy.asp
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