FOODS TO BE AVOIDED WHEN PREGNANT
Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram positive bacillus which is an environmental organism. It can contaminate foodstuffs (it grows happily in the fridge) and outbreaks have been associated with soft cheeses and pate consumption.
Infection is unusual in "normal" adults, but in pregnancy it can cause a bacteraemia which presents as a "flu-like illness". Spontaneous abortion may result. Listeria is also an important cause of neonatal meningitis.
Although it has received considerable publicity in recent years and pregnant women are advised to avoid soft cheeses and patés, serious Listeria infections in pregnancy are not common.
Toxoplasma gondii infection can be contracted by eating undercooked meat (see animals section for details).