Food safety guidelines for pregnancy

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Prevent maternal and fetal illness from food-related diseases by following these safe food preparation guidelines

• Cook all foods from animal sources (beef, pork, poultry) thoroughly
• Wash fruits and vegetables before eating
• Separate all uncooked meats (including poultry and smoked seafood), ready-to-eat foods, fruits, breads, vegetables, and cooked foods
• Avoid unpasteurized milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk
• Use all perishable precooked or ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible
• Wash hands, dishes, utensils, cutting boards, and refrigerator spills after contact with uncooked foods; clean with hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds
• Refrigerate unused foods promptly
• Avoid soft cheeses (feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined, Mexican-style cheese); you can eat yogurt and hard, processed, cream, and cottage cheeses
• Cook leftover foods or ready-to-eat foods thoroughly before eating
• Avoid or thoroughly reheat cold cuts, hot dogs, and deli meats before eating to prevent acquiring a bacteria called listeriosis
• Do not eat smoked seafood unless it is in a cooked dish, such as a casserole.
• ​Clean your refrigerator on a regular basis.
• Keep your refrigerator temperature at 40° F or lower.
• Check expiration dates on perishables.