Worried about listeria after eating grated cheese

[Swisswife]

Hello ladies,

This is my first post but I am writing because I live in France where grated cheese is on the no no list...I am petrified because I ate a pancake at a food court with grated cheese and it wasn't pasteurized nor cooked properly therefore I am at risk of listeria. I have no symptoms apart from a dodgy stomach..do you think I should go get a blood test to see if do have it? Is it really that prevalent?

Thanks for any sight, I have been googling since 3 in the morning...and am going slowly bonkers

 

[Kittifer]

Grated cheese? I haven't heard that one before. What kind of cheese was it?

 

[salander]

I too haven't heard of not being able to eat grated cheese. Is it just in France?

 

[Swisswife]

It was grated gruyere. Gruyere being theoretically safe but packaged and grated not allowed..same principle for Parmesan.

 

[abc123x]

I worry about listeria in everything.

The problem with grated cheese is the idea that the grater will get the infection on it. I wouldn't worry, unless you start getting sick. I've been eating it.

 

[Kittifer]

It was grated gruyere. Gruyere being theoretically safe but packaged and grated not allowed..same principle for Parmesan.

I wouldn't worry too much, I don't think that rule exists here and I'm not far away from you. I've used pre-packaged grated parmesan in a fair few things too.
Chances are tiny that you've caught anything, I'd just be careful to avoid it in future, just in case.

 

[katemarie]

If it makes you feel any better, a month ago I drank an unpasteurised drink of orange juice that also had added vitamin a in (with a note on the back saying 'not suitable for pregnant women') I panicked, called my doctor and he totally calmed me down saying the risks are so minimal and really not to worry so much - you'd have to have eaten a lot of it or on a regular basis for it to effect you and listeria isn't very common at all. If you are really worried you could always ask the doc to do a stool sample for you or check your blood x

 

[Lilli]

Just wanted to say also, you probably have a dodgy tummy from the worry! I got myself in a right state after i ate a ready meal that hadnt been sealed properly (it had prawns in it) and got totally worked up. It all passed through me very quickly due to worry rather than that it was off and i was fine.
And i keep eating chorizo, cos i love it and i forget... as the other ladies have said, listeria is so so rare i really wouldnt worry. If you feel poorly tomorrow maybe talk to a doctor but for now i'd eat something plain and try to stop worrying, your tummy is bound to calm down too.

 

[Swisswife]

Thanks, I am feeling a bit better...where do you live? If I am being too curious, sorry!

 

[Swisswife]

Thank you very much for all your responses..I am feeling reassured but I really want this pregnancy to go well after my two miscarriages and being a natural worrywart these are scary moments!
I will go the dr. tomorrow if my stomach is still upset

 

[BabyBoyNYC]

I ate unpasteurized gorganzola which 1. blue veiny cheeses is a no-no and 2. it was raw!!! I felt like a moron and was so nervous but nothing ever happened! But of course the one time I allow myself a little break it was all completely wrong lol

I wouldn't worry, I try to think to myself some women are still drinking, smoking, taking meds and even they come out with healthy babies! So a little cheese or deli meat should be okay

 

[rensben]

Oh hun not to worry. I live in France too (paris) and eat grated gruyere all the time! No one told me if was off the list! Ate t in my first pregnancy too. I am sure you are fine. Where are you in France by the way?

 

[Swisswife]

Oh hun not to worry. I live in France too (paris) and eat grated gruyere all the time! No one told me if was off the list! Ate t in my first pregnancy too. I am sure you are fine. Where are you in France by the way?

Thanks, i thought i was eating a healthy crepe with spinach and cheese but the cheese was only half melted and because grated cheese in a restaurant or packet is not recommended because of listeria, i have started becoming paranoid...


I live just next to Geneva and aforementioned crepe was in Geneva...!

 

[Kittifer]

I live in Gent, Belgium so not a million miles away from France.

 

[magicbubble]

i honestly think these lists of 'no no foods' go waaay too far sometimes. i wonder what the rate of food poisoning in pregnant women has been over the centuries before these lists appeared just a few years ago

 

[mafiamom]

Is this just in France? here in the states, the only cheeses we can't eat are the super soft cheeses. hard cheeses (ie ones that can be grated ) are just fine! i couldnt live without my grated parm on my spaghetti

step away from the keyboard!!! google is not your friend. i am 100% certain that is why your tummy is feeling weird!! call your doc, but i am sure you are fine!