We all know that during pregnancy, it’s more important than ever to make safe choices about foods and other exposures. However, most of us have probably never considered the frozen food aisle to be a major risk.
Now there’s a listeria outbreak the CDC traces to at least as early as the beginning of September, resulting in the recall of frozen food products, including Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguine and Sno Pac frozen spinach. The CDC’s latest update warns that at least one pregnancy loss can be connected to the outbreak now.
Here’s what you should know about the safety of frozen foods for yourself and your family — especially if you are or may be pregnant.
Food-Born Illness Can Come From Surprising Sources, & With High Risks
Pregnant women are typically warned about the dangers of sushi, undercooked meats, raw eggs, and deli meats, among other products, but the risks can be broader than the average prenatal intake visit may cover. Earlier this year, for instance, one mom lost her pregnancy, and she and her small child had multiple hospital stays after an illness connected to drinking raw milk — a product often touted as healthy due to being “natural.”
Listeria is a risk with unpasteurized milk, but it can also be a concern in packaged foods, including deli meats. The problem is highest in foods that aren’t heated to a temperature sufficient to kill the bacteria before eating, which is why it’s important to cook foods thoroughly.
However, when packaged precooked food becomes contaminated, there’s a risk that reheating isn’t always sufficient to kill the bacteria, and illness can result.
Produce can also be contaminated with Listeria and other bacteria, and should be washed for safety.
Freezing Doesn’t Kill Listeria
When you take a precooked, frozen meal out of your freezer, it’s easy to assume it’s safe to eat right away. After all, it’s fully cooked, and not much can survive freezing, right?
Unfortunately, Listeria is one of those bacteria that can survive freezing, and even if you reheat the food, if it’s done insufficiently or unevenly, enough bacteria may survive to make you sick. This particular outbreak has, according to the CDC’s count, sickened at least 27 people in 18 states, taken at least half a dozen lives, and caused the loss of at least one pregnancy. The CDC also assumes its statistics are below the actual numbers.
“The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.”
How You Can Reduce Risks Of Infection
If you have already purchased products included in recalls related to the outbreak, return them to the store for a refund, or throw them out. Do not eat them!
You can always check the FDA’s website for current recalled food products if you’re not sure whether a specific product has already been determined to be potentially dangerous.
Make sure to thoroughly cook food before eating, or to heat it to the recommended temperatures, even if it is precooked and frozen. Deli meats may be safer to eat if reheated to kill any bacteria, although it’s generally recommended for pregnant women and young children to avoid them altogether.
The CDC says that prepared pasta salads sold in grocery store deli departments may also be linked to the outbreak. Until there’s more data, it may be advisable for those who are at higher risk, including pregnant moms and younger kids, to avoid these.
There are also current recalls of peaches due to possible Listeria contamination. Because produce can be contaminated, it’s a good idea to always wash fresh fruits and vegetables before eating, especially if you’re pregnant or giving the product to a small child who may be more vulnerable.