Avoiding food poisoning while pregnant
It's about to get a little harder - but you got this
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In the News: FDA stops testing for bird flu in dairy?!
You may have seen headlines recently about the FDA suspending testing for avian influenza (bird flu) in milk and cheese products. The reason? The federal government fired a bunch of people, and the FDA no longer has the staff for this. Amazing.
But rather than just get ragey, I want to explain what this means and what you can do to stay safe during your pregnancy.
What does this mean for you?
The risk of getting bird flu from dairy products remains extremely low, especially if you are consuming properly pasteurized products. That said, when safety programs are reduced, the overall risk of food-borne illnesses like Listeria and E. coli may rise. And because pregnancy naturally lowers your immune defenses, it's important to be extra cautious about what you eat and drink.
Here's how you can protect yourself:
Skip unpasteurized products. Always check the label on milk, cheese, and other dairy foods to make sure they are pasteurized. Unpasteurized ("raw") milk products carry a higher risk of infections. You can learn more about safe dairy choices during pregnancy from the CDC's food safety page for pregnant women.
Avoid soft cheeses unless labeled made with pasteurized milk. Favorites like brie, feta, queso fresco, and blue cheese are safe only if made from pasteurized milk.
Be cautious about farm-fresh or homemade dairy products. I’m not telling you to avoid all the good stuff at the farmer’s market, but I am suggesting you ask if the goodies are pasteurized, and be more mindful overall.
Q&A: Just how likely am I to get Listeria from deli meat?
A: The overall risk is actually very low, but it’s not zero — and pregnancy changes the game. According to the CDC, about 1,600 people get listeriosis each year in the U.S., and pregnant people are about 10 times more likely to get it than the general population.
Is that still a low number? Yes. But if you’re a risk mitigator and want to know how to keep that risk as low as possible, keep reading.
Listeria outbreaks have been linked to deli meats, hot dogs, and unpasteurized dairy products—but also foods like lettuce, too (so it’s important to know just avoiding Boar’s Head turkey isn’t foolproof).
While it’s a very small chance, the consequences can be serious. Listeria infections in pregnant people can lead to miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, or severe infection in newborns. The symptoms are somewhat vague, so if you’re feeling off and unsure, be sure to check in with your doc or midwife.
You can also read more at the CDC's Listeria and Pregnancy page if you want to take a deeper dive.
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*no personalized medical advice*
Spotlight on the MyPlate Website: Eating Well for You & Baby
Now that you’ve read this newsletter, are you looking for one-stop-shopping for simple, science-backed advice on what to eat? The MyPlate website from the USDA has a great section just for pregnant and breastfeeding people.
Here’s what you’ll find:
Easy-to-Follow Nutrition Tips
Learn how to build a healthy plate with fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and calcium-rich dairy — all tailored for pregnancy and breastfeeding.Personalized Meal Planning Tool
Use the MyPlate Plan to find a guide on what to consider eating based on your age, weight, height, and activity level.Seafood Picks That Are Baby-Safe
Because YES - fish is super healthy and OK to eat in pregnancy with a few safety considerations.Food Safety Tips
A quick refresher to keep you and baby safe from foodborne illness.
Check it out at MyPlate for Pregnancy — and let me know what you think!
Until next time,
Dr. Jen