It is summertime and many people are heading out for picnics and barbeques. We have Nurse Al Romeo from MotherToBaby Utah at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services to talk with us about some tips to keep our foods safe to consume during pregnancy.

What do pregnant people need to know about cooking meat?

For various meats like chicken, beef, hotdogs and seafood, it is important to fully cook them to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. That kills bacteria like listeria, salmonella, toxoplasmosis, and others. Once you open fully-cooked lunch meat or get other cooked meats out of the refrigerator, make sure to reheat them to 165 degrees Fahrenheit in case they got cross-contaminated with bacteria from other things in the kitchen. Remember to wash your hands, dishes, counters, or grilling tools after handling raw meat. Also remember to wash fresh fruits and vegetables.

Can pregnant people eat cheese or milk?

Yes. For milk, cheese, and other dairy products, check the package to make sure it says “pasteurized.” That means it has been heated to kill different bacteria or other things that could be in it. Some cheeses may say that they are made with pasteurized milk, and that is great. Avoid raw milk or making your own cheese during pregnancy.

What problems can listeria, salmonella, and toxoplasmosis cause in pregnancy?

Listeria and salmonella are bacteria that can be found in dairy products, meat, as well as fruits and vegetables. These infections can increase the chance for miscarriage, low birth weight, and preterm birth.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasite that can be found in meat, cat litter, and soil. Toxoplasmosis can increase the chance for miscarriage, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Toxoplasmosis can also be passed to babies where it can infect and damage the brain, eyes, heart, kidneys, liver or other organs. Depending on what organs were affected, this parasite can also cause vision loss, hearing loss, and developmental delays.

For more information during pregnancy and breastfeeding, please visit our website MotherToBaby.Utah.gov.