Food Safety
Food safety is continuously important in everyday life to avoid contamination between foods and food poisoning. These principles still apply during pregnancy yet there are other factors to consider; certain foods that should be avoided and limited and also increased measures with regards to food safety. These areas are discussed in this section.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc commodo malesuada bibendum. Nulla suscipit bibendum tempor. In arcu libero, semper malesuada sodales laoreet, sollicitudin in leo. Vivamus sit amet felis viverra augue bibendum tempor id id diam. Donec varius, diam in tincidunt pellentesque
BBQ Safety
BBQ safe this summer, whatever you're cooking up follow our tips below to keep it safe
Food Safety Week
Food Safety Week is an annual event held to promote the importance of good food hygiene in the home. Food Safety Week this year will be taking place between the 15th – 21st June 2009.
Liver and Vitamin A
Liver and liver products such as liver pâté contain large amounts of the retinol form of vitamin A and the Department of Health has advised they should not be eaten during pregnancy.
Listeria
Listeria infection is very rare, affecting approximately 1 in 20,000 pregnancies, however the incidence has been associated with certain foods.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is also very rare, however it can seriously affect the unborn baby and pregnant women should be aware of the risks.
Mercury
Pregnant women are advised to avoid shark, swordfish and marlin because of the high levels of mercury they contain.
Salmonella
Salmonella is a common cause of food poisoning and is particularly associated with chicken and raw eggs.
Cheese
Here is a list of cheeses to be avoided while pregnant and a list of those which are safe to eat.
Peanuts
Peanut allergy is increasing in children although the cause is unclear. The use of peanuts and peanut oil in the British diet has increased rapidly over the last few years. In the UK, research has been ongoing for a while now to see if there is an association between a mother eating peanuts when pregnant or breastfeeding and the incidence of peanut allergy in later life.
Other Food Borne Infections
Other food bourne infections can't cross the placenta and damage the baby directly but it is advisable to take extra precautions while you are pregnant to avoid getting food poisoning of any kind.
General Food Handling Guidelines
These guidelines will help you make sure the food you prepare is safe and decrease the risk of getting food poisoning.
Travelling Abroad
While pregnant, going on holiday is a great way for you to relax and unwind. The following tips should reduce any worries that you have about the safety of food and drink in other countries.Tummy bugs or gastrointestinal illnesses are the most commonly reported travel-associated infection, see our tips in the following section to help you avoid these illnesses.