• Is it safe to drink coffee and caffeinated drinks now I am pregnant?

• Is honey safe to eat during pregnancy?

• Is smoked salmon safe to eat during pregnancy?

• Should I avoid eating shellfish while I'm pregnant?

• Why can I eat parmesan even though it's unpasteurised?

• Is it ok to eat shop bought mayonnaise when you are pregnant?

• Can I drink probiotic yoghurts now I'm pregnant?

• Is sushi safe during pregnancy?

Is it safe to drink coffee and caffeinated drinks now I am pregnant?

A huge amount of publicity was generated about a new research study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in January 2008, of just over 1,000 pregnant women in the USA, that concluded “high doses of caffeine intake (200 mg/day or more) during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, independent of pregnancy-related symptoms”.

Whilst this study is a well designed, robust cohort study, this evidence must be reviewed in conjunction with existing research and it is important to review all the available data rather than taking one study in isolation. For example, another study published earlier, also investigated caffeine and the risk of miscarriage and these researchers concluded that “there is little indication of possible harmful effects of caffeine on miscarriage risk within the range of coffee and caffeine consumption reported, and it had not been possible to establish a clear link between caffeine intake and pregnancy outcomes".

In the light of all this publicity about caffeine many women will be worried and wondering whether they should cut out caffeine altogether. We do not believe that the current recommendations should be changed i.e. currently, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) guidance recommends 200mg of caffeine per day as a safe upper limit for pregnant women in the UK. This position is further supported by the Royal College of Midwives and the Centre for Pregnancy Nutrition. See our section on caffeine for more information.

Is honey safe to eat during pregnancy?

Honey is perfectly safe to eat during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, there is no risk to your baby. However honey should not be given to children under the age of one as there is a small risk of food poisoning.

Is smoked salmon safe to eat during pregnancy?

In this country we do not recommend avoiding smoked salmon (or other cold meats) because the risk of listeria is very low, much lower than the risk from eating some types of cheese. However it is best to buy from a reputable supplier, for example any supermarket and check that the fish or meat looks fresh and has a best before date stamped on it.

Should I avoid eating shellfish while I'm pregnant?

If you are pregnant you should avoid oysters and other shellfish, unless they are part of a hot meal and have been thoroughly cooked. This means they should be avoided when eating out as it is very difficult to check if they have been thoroughly cooked. They should be avoided because, when they are raw, these types of seafood might be contaminated with harmful bacteria (Salmonella and campylobacter) and viruses. These are usually killed by proper cooking when you are preparing meals at home.

Why can I eat parmesan even though it's unpasteurised?

When you are pregnant it is advisable to avoid unpasteurised cheeses due to the risk from listeria. Although parmesan is unpasteurised it is too hard a cheese for the listeria bacteria to grow into. It is also been heat treated which will kill any listeria present. For a full list of cheeses that are safe and a full list of those to be avoided, see our cheese page.

Is it ok to eat shop bought mayonnaise when you are pregnant?

Yes it is ok to eat shop-bought mayonnaise as it usually contains pasteurised egg and therefore should be safe to eat during pregnancy. However it is advisable to follow the storage instructions on the jar. Pregnant women are advised to avoid home-made mayonnaise because it can contain raw unpasteurised egg and therefore there is a potential risk of salmonella. Fresh mayonnaise can be available in shops, it would be best to avoid this during pregnancy as it is difficult to check whether it contains raw egg.

Can I drink probiotic yoghurts now I'm pregnant?

Yes, probiotic yoghurts are safe during pregnancy, as are all bio and live yoghurts, fromage frais and greek style products. There is some evidence that probiotics may have a role in preventing certain allergies in children, and a new study has found that probiotics may help women to return to their pre pregnancy weight, so there may be benfits of these products in pregnancy, however more reseach is needed.

Is sushi safe during pregnancy?

It's safe to eat sushi when you're pregnant as long as the raw fish used to make it is cooked or, if raw, has been frozen beforehand.

This is because occasionally fish contains parasites such as tapeworms, which could make you unwell if they are still alive when you eat the fish. Freezing and cooking kills the parasites and makes raw fish safe to eat.

Most of the sushi sold in supermarkets is bought in ready made, not made at the shop. This type of sushi should be safe to eat, because if a shop or restaurant buys in ready-made sushi, the raw fish used to make it must have been frozen at minus 20 degrees C for at least 24 hours. But if a shop or restaurant makes its own sushi, the fish might not have been frozen beforehand. If you're concerned, ask the staff if they freeze fish before serving it raw.

Sushi which uses any vegetables, cooked fish, such as steamed crab and cooked eel, is fine to eat while you're pregnant. If you make your own sushi at home using raw fish, freeze the fish for at least 24 hours before using it.

Sushi is safe to eat when breastfeeding.