Foods can carry germs that are harmful to your health. Some foodborne illnesses can result in problems during pregnancy and can have serious health effects on a developing baby. Handling, preparing and storing food properly can reduce your chances of getting sick.
When in doubt, throw it out: If you aren’t sure if a food is safe, don’t eat it.
Foodborne illnesses can impact you and your developing baby during pregnancy. Your ability to fight off infections is decreased when you’re pregnant, making you more vulnerable to foodborne illness.
Practicing safe food handling, such as thoroughly and regularly washing hands, sanitizing surfaces, and using clean utensils and cooking equipment, can reduce your risk of encountering harmful germs like Listeria, E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Toxoplasma gondii, which can have severe consequences for you and your baby. Learning about these germs before pregnancy can help you know how to reduce your risk of getting a foodborne illness.
Some foods are best to avoid once you’re pregnant. Learn more about safe food alternatives and safe food handling during pregnancy.
Refrigerate leftover cooked foods as quickly as possible – there is no need to let the food cool to room temperature. Reheat leftovers to 74°C (165°F). Leftovers should not be reheated more than once.
For more information about food safety during pregnancy, see Healthy Parents Healthy Children.
A foodborne illness occurs when harmful germs, such as bacteria, parasites, or viruses, contaminate the food that you eat, making you sick. These germs may get into food when it’s prepared, processed, or if it’s washed with contaminated water.
There are two ways that foodborne illnesses occur:
Food poisoning or foodborne illness can happen when the food you eat contains harmful germs that make you sick.
The first symptom of foodborne illness is usually diarrhea. You may also feel sick to your stomach, vomit, have stomach cramps, fever, and in severe cases, blood in your stool. Excessive diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration.
While most people recover relatively quickly from food poisoning, some may experience lasting health effects. If you suspect you have a foodborne illness, consult your healthcare provider or call Health Link at 811 for guidance.
Report suspected foodborne illness to Alberta Health Services, Environmental Public Health through their online portal.
For more information on food poisoning symptoms, see Foodborne Illness and Safe Food Handling.
Ready or Not contains a lot of information. So we created My To-Do List for you to use as a personal reminder, share with your partner, or bring to your next check-up.
Be sure to click “Add this to my To-Do List” anytime you see something you want to print, email, save, or share. Because we do not ask for any personal information, your list will only be saved for a week after your last added item.
