Government acts to help pregnant women avoid dangers of Listeria

19 May 2007 

Ian Macdonald
Minister for Energy
Minister for Primary Industries
Minster for Mineral Resources
Minister for State Development

Verity Firth
Minister for Women
Minister for Science and Medical Research
Minster Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer)
Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change, Environment & Water (Environment)

The Iemma Government will embark upon a major food education campaign after new Food Authority research found that almost half of all pregnant women are ignoring the serious health risks associated with Listeria bacteria.

The research, undertaken for the NSW Food Authority and released today by Minister for Women Verity Firth and Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald also found that:

• 38% and 31% of women respectively didn’t know if they should increase or decrease the amount of Vitamin E and Vitamin A during pregnancy,
• 61% of pregnant women turned to their GP for food safety information, while 55% surfed the internet,
• 77% were aware that mercury in fish was an issue during pregnancy,
• 30% were still unclear about which type of fish they should limit.

Importantly, Minister Frith said the research also found that up to half the women surveyed felt there was insufficient information available on food safety and pregnancy.

“Listeria is a type of bacteria found in some foods that causes a serious infection called listeriosis,” Ms Firth said.

“It can take up to six weeks for symptoms to occur and if transmitted to an unborn baby can lead to miscarriage, infection or stillbirth.

“The best way to avoid this is through hygienic preparation, storing and handling of food.”

Concern about the low awareness of the dangers of Listeria has prompted the NSW Government to establish a new service to provide information to pregnant women.

Minister Macdonald said the new “Pregnancy Portal” on the NSW Food Authority’s web site featured a range of food safety information that had been produced by the agency’s food scientists that aimed to provide accurate and reliable information while dispelling common food safety myths.

“I urge all women in NSW who are either pregnant or planning a pregnancy to visit the Food Authority’s web site to get all the scientifically accurate food safety advice they need,” Minister Macdonald said.

Minister Macdonald and Minister Firth said pregnant women also needed to avoid soft and semi-soft cheese; cold cooked chicken; cold processed meats; prepared salads; raw seafood; soft serve ice-cream; unpasteurised dairy products, and Paté.

“Two years ago the Food Authority launched its Mercury in Fish education campaign that showed pregnant women how they could enjoy the benefits of seafood while reducing the risk of mercury,” Mr Macdonald said.

“Our new Pregnancy Portal takes that a step further, now women can find all the food safety information they need in a user-friendly format.”

Minister Firth said the Pregnancy Portal features food safety information about mercury in fish, folate, Listeria, general food safety as well as detailed facts and tips on what to eat and what to avoid. In addition, food safety information produced by the Food Authority will be included in “Bounty Bags” which are given to pregnant women across NSW.

“I would urge all pregnant women to access this site and ensure they know the risks involved with certain types of food,” she said.

The Food Authority is also distributing 300,000 mercury cards and a new pregnancy safety brochure throughout NSW to libraries, GP surgeries, obstetricians, fish shops and consumer community groups. They are also available by calling the Authority’s Consumer Hotline on 1300 552 406.

Minister Macdonald said the new Pregnancy Portal and a downloadable pregnancy brochure can be found at www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/consumer/pregnancy.asp