I have a question about Lysteria.

[Laurian]

I am cooking for a relative who is in her first trimester of pregnancy. I know she's been told to avoid deli meats and soft cheeses because of possible exposure to Lysteria. I googled Lysteria to see what other foods might be contaminated with Lysteria. Oh dear. I had planned to make vegetable soup, mini ham sandwiches on homemade rolls and a fruit pizza. I was planning to use regular ham, not deli ham, but the list of foods that can have Lysteria included smoked meats. Almost all fruits were also listed.

During my child bearing years (many moons ago) we were ignorant of such concerns and I'm finding myself very uncertain about what to prepare.

Any suggestions?

[cbayer]

1. Have you talked to her about what she is and is not eating?

The incidence is extremely low and, in general, I think avoiding unpasteurized milk and cheese is the only step I might take.

If she is eating pretty much everything, which most pregnant women do and everything goes fine, you should probably just serve what you had planned (which sounds great!).

[Laurian]

4. She only mentioned soft cheese and deli meats as the foods she is not eating.

I think the soup will be fine and the sandwiches should be okay if I make sure the ham is heated to 165 degrees before I assemble the sandwiches.

I may need to rethink the dessert. I'll be taking the food to their house, so it needs to be easy to transport. I was trying to make food that would appeal to her husband and four year old twins as well. I thought of the fruit pizza with the twins in mind.....heavy on the fruit, light on the sugar.

[hlthe2b]

2. Anything that you cook to an internal temp of 165 degrees F or higher should be fine.

It is mainly processed smoked meats, soft cheese, unpasteurized dairy products and the like that are most risk.

This is an excellent chart to guide you:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/risk/pregnant/chklist_pregnancy.html

[Laurian]

5. Thanks! That's a great resource and I've bookmarked it as I

will likely be doing this regularly throughout her pregnancy.

[Lucinda]

3. I would ask her to clarify. If her doctor only advised against deli and soft cheeses - not fruits,

then I think your basic menu is probably fine.
I'd always lean towards being more cautious than not though.

[grasswire]

6. there's always chicken salad for a great sandwich.

A poached or roasted chicken breast, diced up with celery, apple, some dried cranberries or raisins, mayo, maybe some curry powder or dried tarragon or fresh basil. Cashew nuts are a good addition too, as is some orange zest.

[Laurian]

7. Yum! That sounds wonderful.

Rethinking, rethinking. I'm doing this on Wednesday, so I just need to decide before making a trip to the grocery tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Phentex]

8. I second the chicken salad. Ham seems too salty...

I know she isn't far along but I would avoid the ham.

[Laurian]

9. Good point. I think I'll switch to chicken salad for the adults,

but keep some plain chicken and rolls for the 4 year olds who still like to have distinct and separate foods rather than mixtures.

[pinto]

10. CDC listeria info -

http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/

[kestrel91316]

11. Avoid Mexican-style bathtub cheese, brie and camembert. Avoid processed lunchmeats

and meats cooked and stored off your premises. Wash fruits and veggies normally.

Above all, don't be germ-phobic. Just use common sense.

[Laurian]

12. Thanks, everyone!

Oops, I misspelled Listeria.....

I have found that as I have gotten older, I tend to obsess about things like this. I tell my kids that in the "old days", ignorance truly was bliss. Thanks to modern technology (that knows what I mean even if I misspell it), we know so much more about almost everything now and it can be overwhelming at times. A double edged sword, to be sure.

I love this group! You are all so helpful.