Food Safety in Pregnancy - Listeria
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=26012
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Topic: Food Safety in Pregnancy - Listeria
Posted By: MyPeas
Subject: Food Safety in Pregnancy - Listeria
Date Posted: 20 April 2009 at 10:50am
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Hi Everyone,
I've read a bit about food safety in pregnancy and the issues with listeria, however was wondering if it is safe to eat leftovers that have been frozen. 
The leftovers include cheese, ham, bacon, and chicken and were all frozen within approximately an hour of originally being cooked, are defrosted in the fridge (except when being transported to work) and are reheated to steaming/boiling before being eaten hot? Any feedback that anyone could provide on this query would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much and have a fabulous day. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Replies:
Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 20 April 2009 at 11:09am
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I have been freezing/reheating and just make sure that it is really really hot when I reheat. (I don't eat ham though or any deli meats)
Also make sure that it is hot for long enough, like if you get something to boil then boil it for a few min to kill off any bugs. Might be an idea to check with your MW or someone to double check ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 20 April 2009 at 11:18am
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It would be fine if it didn't have ham in it. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: KitKat
Date Posted: 20 April 2009 at 11:19am
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If you know that its been frozen properly, defrosted properly etc (not sitting around in warmth etc) Reheating to boiling point should be fine.. I do.
I wouldnt eat it cold put it that way! ------------- 
http://www.littlegreenfruit.blogspot.com - Little Green Fruit |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 20 April 2009 at 11:41am
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As long as its heated up piping hot, any left overs are fine. ------------- |
Posted By: Mum_mum
Date Posted: 20 April 2009 at 1:11pm
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I thought ham was fine as long as it was piping hot..... i have been having cheese and ham toasties throughout this pregnancy and all is fine... i do only eat the ham that is from the beehive or hellers packs tho, not the ham from the deli. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
 Angel baby - May 2008
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 20 April 2009 at 2:08pm
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Yeah Ham's fine so long as it's hot. -------------  
 
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Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 20 April 2009 at 2:13pm
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It depends on how much risk you're happy to take - I'm a food tech / nutritionist and I wouldn't eat ham - hot or not. Just not a risk i'm willing to take (its only 9 months, so not a big deal to avoid all the risky foods for me), but each to their own. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 20 April 2009 at 4:09pm
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Nikki, just a question on the ham - I got one of my lovely pigs sent off the butcher the week before I got my BFP. She's coming back this week as hams. If I cook them myself and eat them hot they should be ok shouldn't they? Or do I have to let DH have all the ham and just stick to the bacon?
I agree that its only 9 months and not worth the risk so want to avoid the dodgy foods, I just don't want to miss out on this long awaited ham if I don't need to. What is it about ham in particular that is risky? Thanks  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 20 April 2009 at 6:24pm
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ooh that sounds ominous Nikki. What's the deal with Ham then? Is it just really hard to kill bugs? -------------
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 20 April 2009 at 10:22pm
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Must admit, I am fussy about Ham and chicken during pregnancy, but everything else I'm not, as long as I know its fresh, or Ive made it myself etc ------------- |
Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 21 April 2009 at 2:27pm
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T-Rex - if you cook the ham yourself and eat straight away it "should" be fine.
Bobbie - its all deli meats really, not just ham. You don't know what happened in the curing process, how long they've been sitting around before you cook them, or how many bugs are there to begin with ... so although less risky if you've heated completely (and do you know for sure the entire piece of ham has been heated to a temp that kills all the bugs?) .... its hard to gaurantee they will be OK. I'm overly-cautious though .... sometimes ignorance is bliss!!  ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 21 April 2009 at 2:29pm
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PS - and the levels of bugs on there could be low enough for you not to get food poisoning (well, not realise) but still kill bub. Pretty scary really.
ETA: it is very rare though - but does happen to a few people a year, so you just never know and don't want to be one of those people. my doc had a client who lost her bub at 7 months after eating out in a nice clean looking place on holiday. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: Mum_mum
Date Posted: 21 April 2009 at 3:00pm
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Well you have now sucessfully scared this sh*t out of me lol!
Maybe no more ham till after bub! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
Angel baby - May 2008
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 21 April 2009 at 4:24pm
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Yeah I think I'm heading the same way - better safe than sorry. Lucky I wasn't really a Ham eater anyway -------------
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Posted By: lillibit
Date Posted: 21 April 2009 at 4:58pm
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The danger zone for food is between 4-70 degrees so make sure you defrost it in the fridge not on the bench and the whole portion of food is heated so it's temperature is above 74 degrees right the way through. Sometimes avoidance is just easier than having to worry. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: littlestar
Date Posted: 22 April 2009 at 8:19am
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The NZ food safety book says ham is ok (not great but ok) if its straight out of the producers packet (eg those little packs of hellers ham)
Its a personal choice though - for some people thats fine and for some people they'd rather not take the risk. I'd reccommend you read the food safety info and decide whats right for you. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MyPeas
Date Posted: 22 April 2009 at 9:18pm
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Hi guys,
Thanks for all the feedback, it's been very informative and helpful. Hope everyone's having a great evening. Cheers  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: fattykat
Date Posted: 22 April 2009 at 10:03pm
| What on earth are you meant to have in sandwiches then? I don't like tinned salmon or tuna so thats out. Is bacon ok? I'm still working and like to take my lunch, which I prefer sandwiches. |
Posted By: NewPhoenix
Date Posted: 22 April 2009 at 10:45pm
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. ------------- |
Posted By: mamanee
Date Posted: 23 April 2009 at 12:02am
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Nobody ever agrees with me, but I'm from the 'eat what you want within reason' side of things.
I ate ham when I was pregnant and no I didn't cook it until it was piping hot because what would be the point? Hot ham is disgusting! I worked in a deli for years before I got pregnant and I know there are strict food safety protocols that are adhered to in supermarket delicatessens. Outbreaks of listeria are rare and usually make it to the 6 O'Clock news. I only ever eat fresh ham or fresh deli meat and I would never encourage others to do the same as I do, as everybody is different, and you're right it is only 9 months and you can easily go without alsorts of things, but to be honest, you might as well lock yourself inside your house to avoid being hit by a bus, being struck by lightning or trampled by stampedes of wild animals. I personally am more relaxed when it comes to food during pregnancy, but it's each to their own and if you feel uncomfortable about eating something then by all means, don't eat it. |
Posted By: littlestar
Date Posted: 23 April 2009 at 8:10am
Personally I'd be fine with this - I mean its been bubbling away for 7 hours - surely there aren't any bugs left alive! One thing I am careful with the slow cooker is to heat it up before I shove anything in it, just so the food isn't sitting around while the thing warms up. But again its a personal choice thing - I'm fine still using mine but others won't feel comfortable ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Anthea wrote:Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 23 April 2009 at 11:02am
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I still use the slow cooker too ... but I just put boiling water in it and start out / finish up on high so everythign is brought up to temp fast and zapped a bit at the end.
I end up just having salad sammies I prepare myself (no cold meats) or eat something else, so can't help really. Its a pain. But I'd rather be safe than sorry. I know I'd be devastated if I lost a baby cos I put some ham on a sammie! Each to their own though. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: LJsmum
Date Posted: 23 April 2009 at 12:24pm
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I have frozen meals sometimes for lunch only ever the ww ones and beef never chicken or fish.
They have to be boiling all through and my Doc and MW said are ok to eat. Or salad and tinned tuna or salmon sandwhich Does anyone know if the uncle ben's rice in the packet is ok? I really careful with what i eat and avoid all cold meat and deli salad. -------------  
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Posted By: NewPhoenix
Date Posted: 23 April 2009 at 12:30pm
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. ------------- |
Posted By: fattykat
Date Posted: 23 April 2009 at 8:09pm
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I can't wait to have a yummy sandwich again. There is a place round the corner from work that have the best wraps I have ever had....but with brie and usually smoked ham, so thats out.
Oh well looks like it will be left overs for a couple more months. |
Posted By: LouD
Date Posted: 24 April 2009 at 6:06am
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I have realised that its almost impossible to eat healthy while your out and about...........!!! what healthy food is available if your like me and go out on the road and have to buy lunch on the run (i certainly wouldnt want to pack something and have it sit around in the car all day)
so besides unheathly burgers from maccas etc whats left??? I think some people take this stuff way too extremes.............. when you think about it, at some point someone has been responsible for that food and its hygeine long before it goes into your oven or freezer etc and you just have cross your fingers that all strict guidelines have been adhered to otherwise we are ALL at risk no matter what you eat (besides fruit and vegies) So we cant just stop eating altogether on the off chance that that food might possibly be not handled correctly until we purchased it etc..........either that or get digging ladies and buy cows etc and grow it yourself!!!! Im pretty much sticking to eating cruskits, rice crackers, fruit, cup of soups and cheeseballs.............and i can almost guarantee if my MS kicks in, i wont be able to go anywhere near that stuff, so i will be screwed |
Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 25 April 2009 at 9:13am
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I'm with you Neeandsam!
During my pregnancy I never cut back on anything at all... I ate cured meats, smelly french cheeses, runny eggs, oysters, pauas etc. But then again that is my choice and I'm so happy about it. When out and about I was cautious about where I got my food from, but seriously if I cut out everything that I was told not to eat I would have had a ridiculously limited diet! 
My opinion on this subject is to eat whatever you feel comfortable with and adhere to good hygiene standards... I was so much happier for it and I've continued to eat whatever since Novella was born and shes doing so well - put on 2&half pounds since birth and loving my milk!!! Anyway, thats my bit 
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 25 April 2009 at 8:08pm
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im the same ...I have eaten ham on occasion , and tonight I even had a slice of salami, and it was good, I just don't eat it often .
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 26 April 2009 at 4:19pm
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This is a bit OT too but I was wondering if anyone could shed light on why hummus (both store bought and home made) is suddenly a no no in the FSA handbook? -------------
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Posted By: LouD
Date Posted: 26 April 2009 at 4:51pm
| The food safety authority says that eating hummus is fine as long as its eaten within two days of opening |
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 26 April 2009 at 5:28pm
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Not according to the table in the new book. It said that in the old one - that's why I'm wondering why it changed. -------------
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Posted By: LadyLizard
Date Posted: 27 April 2009 at 8:39am
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I wondered that about hummus too. I have eaten it straight out of the packet, and i don't get why homemade hummus isn't OK.
Its interesting how you get different advice in different countries- my best friend is pregnant with her 2nd in the UK and we have compared notes- the only things they get told not to eat are unpasteurised cheeses, pates, uncooked eggs, and to be careful about seafood. They aren't told not to eat ham, leftovers, prepacked sandwiches, hummus etc etc etc. I was really good for the first trimester, but in the last few weeks I have been much more relaxed- have had a family bereavement and the only food in the house was quiches, pies, casseroles, sammies etc etc etc made by other people left for us to reheat. I didn't feel like cooking myself a special meal every time! lunches are difficult- I have been eating cup-a soups too, and cheese and crackers. And I MISS sushi!!!!  ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 27 April 2009 at 8:55am
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I'm being fairly relaxed with my food....basically using common sense. At the V8s last week I had Subway both days, I figured the turnover of everything was so fast that it had to be fresh (seriously, they were changing the containers about every 10 minutes if that), there was only one person doing one section (normal Subway, one person does it from start to finish - this had one for meat, one for bacon, one for salad, one for sauce, and one for payment). You weren't allowed to take food in, and I wasn't happy with eating hot chips a few times a day for 3 days in a row. Also, at the hospital at the moment I don't have a lot of choice - I eat what is there, pre-packaged sandwiches, or hot meals sitting in a bain marie....I'm not driving into town to find something else, or going home just to cook and eat tea and then go back. And I figure that it's a hospital, if their food isn't safe then whose is!! LOL
I do tend to stay away from deli food, because I don't know how long it's been there, and sometimes I see flies hanging round, which grosses me out. |
Posted By: Flanosau
Date Posted: 27 April 2009 at 9:52am
| neeandsam I agree with you. Plus Listeria is also found in soil, water, plants, sewage and animal droppings so would have to avoid all these things to be completely safe! Not sure I could go 9 months without water :) |
Posted By: LadyLizard
Date Posted: 27 April 2009 at 12:14pm
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I am making soup for tea tonight, tomatoes, black beans, jalapenos and HAM. its delicious and I crave it- and if I don't get what I crave I get grouchy. ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 27 April 2009 at 4:18pm
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I'm going to make my own sushi in about a month when my craving for it outweighs my 'can't be arsed-ness' lol -------------
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