Recall foods put pregnant women at risk

Recent food recalls have put pregnant women and their babies at risk for foodborne illnesses. But there is a way to avoid them to remain healthy.

Mariah Simpson is a new mother. Her daughter is healthy, but that does not keep her from tracking the latest food recalls, such as the one just issued for smoked salmon and chicken salad.

“It’s really scary for new mothers and pregnant mothers,” Simpson said.

Practices, like Women’s Care Florida, are warning moms about the dangers of food contaminated with listeria and salmonella.

Denise Henning, a midwife with Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida, said keeping food clean is critical.

“In general, pregnancy is a lowered immune state,” Henning said. “Even if there’s no recall going on, they really need to wash it well.”

Fruits and vegetables can carry listeria. Henning said women infected with the poisoning could be at risk for stillbirth.

“The better thing to do is to prevent it in the first place,” Henning said.

Even if you do not feel sick, the toxins in contaminated foods can hurt your baby, which is why Simpson stayed on top of the latest recalls while pregnant. Now, she still keeps a close eye on recalls, so her girl does not get sick.

“Everything we eat, she eats,” Simpson said. “We have to pay attention to everything.”

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Find out the latest food recalls here.