Raw, cooked, semi-cooked, in a jar, homemade, frozen… Are all types of foie gras really prohibited during pregnancy? Update with midwife Anaïs Amiach.
Among all the foods that are potentially prohibited during pregnancy, it is normal for foie gras to raise a thousand questions, especially as the end of year celebrations approach. Charcuterie, meat… it is difficult to classify and its risks complicated to assess. In reality, foie gras is not the enemy of pregnancy, if you respect certain conditions of consumption.
Why can’t pregnant women eat foie gras?
There is a tendency to estimate and even to give instructions to expectant mothers that they cannot do not eat foie gras. “Indeed, if it is raw, the pregnant woman should not consume it”, announces Anaïs Amiach, liberal midwife working for Natal Space. In contrast, “if the foie gras is cooked, the patient can eat it”, she says. The reason for this restriction? A bacterium, I named listeriacan develop and give rise to a pathology called the listeriosis. The latter, which is similar to a flu-like symptom, can be dangerous during pregnancy, as the bacteria can be transmitted to the baby. Listeria is also found in other foods such as raw fish or raw meat, dairy products and unpasteurized cheese, which is why it is strongly advised not to eat raw foods during pregnancy.
The other thing to consider when you eat foie gras while you are pregnant, is that it contains a lot of vitamin A. However, the midwife informs us that an excess of vitamin A can be dangerous for the baby: “it can be harmful for the formation of the fetus, there is a risk of toxicity for the baby”. But, she reassures, “foie gras is rarely abused, it is a food consumed occasionally”.
Is the foie gras cooked?
Good news for pregnant women fans of this dish consumed mainly during the end of year celebrations: foie gras is rarely eaten raw. It is, most of the time, baked at a temperature of at least 100 degrees.
Can a pregnant woman eat foie gras without being immune to toxoplasmosis?
In the same way as for listeriosis (infection of bacterial origin), it is forbidden to consume raw foods during pregnancy to avoid toxoplasmosis (parasitic contamination). Regarding foie gras, you can absolutely eat it during pregnancy, since it is a cooked food. whether or not you are immune to toxoplasmosis, you can enjoy it during pregnancy…in moderation.
The difference between cooked foie gras and semi-cooked foie gras comes logically from the cooking temperature. While a classic foie gras will be cooked in a bain-marie between 90° and 110°, half-cooked foie gras is subjected to a lower temperature, between 70 and 85°. as a precautionary principle, it is therefore better to favor cooked foie gras. On purchase, check on the cooking label that it has been cooked to 100° minimum, or in the case of semi-cooked, that it is indeed pasteurized foie gras. Only high temperatures or pasteurization can destroy listeria too, in restaurants, do not hesitate to ask if one of the two processes has been applied before ordering.
Which foie gras to eat when pregnant?
Goose foie gras or duck foie gras, you can either choose according to your tastes. Also, as indicated above, it is better to refrain from semi-cooked, especially if the cooking temperature has not exceeded 65°. Otherwise, there are types of storage and cooking that should be favored during pregnancy.
- Foie gras in airtight jar with rubber
- Canned foie gras
- Frozen foie gras (at -20°, listeria is killed)
- Pan-fried foie gras
- Foie gras sauce
What types of foie gras are prohibited during pregnancy?
- Homemade foie gras (terrine, tea towel)
- Foie gras at the caterer
- Foie Gras Semi-Preserved
- Foie gras mousse