Pre-washed salads provide a convenient, quick option for making salads, but pregnant women should think twice before consuming them. Pre-washed salads have been linked to outbreaks of E. coli and salmonella. These food-borne pathogens are introduced in the field by contaminated irrigation water or run-off from nearby livestock. They can cause diarrhea, vomiting, kidney failure and occasionally death. Children, the elderly and pregnant women are most at risk of serious illness, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Benefits
Pregnant women should consume 2-1/2 cups of vegetables daily, according to the Ohio State University. Pre-washed salads are a quick, convenient way for pregnant women to increase their vegetable consumption, and spinach mixes are particularly nutritious. Combined with sliced vegetables, nuts and cheeses, salads can make an entire meal.
Cautions
During pregnancy, changes in hormone levels suppress a woman's immune system, according to the Colorado State University Extension. This mechanism prevents the mother's body from rejecting the growing baby but may also make pregnant women more susceptible to infection. Some food-borne pathogens, such as listeria and salmonella, can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or premature labor. While your chances of eating contaminated pre-washed salad are small, consider eliminating it from your diet while pregnant.
Recommendations
Buy head lettuce instead of pre-washed lettuce and wash it thoroughly before consuming. Although head lettuce may also become contaminated by food pathogens in irrigation water, the pathogens usually affect the outer leaves only. Remove the outer leaves and discard them. For convenience, wash several heads of lettuce at once, shred the lettuce and store it in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator. Use the lettuce within three days. Refrigerate lettuce immediately after purchase and use clean cutting boards and knives when preparing it. Wash your hands thoroughly before washing and cutting lettuce.
Considerations
Other raw or unpasteurized foods have been known to cause serious illness, especially in pregnant women. Eliminate or minimize your consumption of unpasteurized milks, cheeses and juices, sprouts of any kind, deli salads and undercooked meats and seafood. Heat hot dogs and smoked seafood to steaming before you eat them, and avoid deli lunch meats. Talk with your doctor about food safety during pregnancy.
References
- Marler Clark Attorneys at Law: E. coli Outbreak Raises Questions About Bagged Salad; Elizabeth Lee; Oct. 5, 2006
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Produce Safety; May 2011
- Ohio State University Extension; Nutritional Needs of Breastfeeding; Julie Shertzer; July 2008
- Colorado State University Extension; Food Safety During Pregnancy; J. Dean, et al.; December 2006
