Sources of listeria contamination for soft-serve ice cream machines
After an 18-hour drive to Guelph with Amy and a Russian borzoi , I discovered the potential risks of soft-serve ice cream and the Baskin Robbin's pregnancy promo has become an Internet sensation.
Celebrity blog TMZ.com reported that several sources in the know -- including one pregnant OB/GYN -- tell TMZ that there are "definite" health risks associated with soft-serve ice cream for expectant moms because of Listeria bacteria. Softie machines can be studded with bacteria that can cause all kinds of issues for newborns -- in fact, Down Under, it's pretty much forbidden for preggo women.
Baskin Robbin's told TMZ in a statement,
"Our Soft Serve products are continuously monitored by our suppliers, and our pasteurization process is state inspected and certified on a regular basis. The only way Listeria, which has been found in a variety of raw foods, can be found in soft serve would be through improper pasteurization."
Not quite sure about that one. But we'll do some more digging.
Healthinspections.com also picked up on the story, and said they had discovered dirty-machine problems in reviewing health inspection reports for soft serve ice cream shops in past years.
Celebrity blog TMZ.com reported that several sources in the know -- including one pregnant OB/GYN -- tell TMZ that there are "definite" health risks associated with soft-serve ice cream for expectant moms because of Listeria bacteria. Softie machines can be studded with bacteria that can cause all kinds of issues for newborns -- in fact, Down Under, it's pretty much forbidden for preggo women.Baskin Robbin's told TMZ in a statement,
"Our Soft Serve products are continuously monitored by our suppliers, and our pasteurization process is state inspected and certified on a regular basis. The only way Listeria, which has been found in a variety of raw foods, can be found in soft serve would be through improper pasteurization."
Not quite sure about that one. But we'll do some more digging.
Healthinspections.com also picked up on the story, and said they had discovered dirty-machine problems in reviewing health inspection reports for soft serve ice cream shops in past years.
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I past years I have analysed many soft serve machines for Listeria (and E. coli) contamination. Prior to the introduction of self pasteurising machines, the incidence of contamination was not uncommon. Since self-pasteurising machines have been introduced in the many of the major fast food organisations, the incidence of contamination is relatively uncommon. The main cause of problem with older machines is poor maintenance allowing ice cream to penetrate into the gearbox, when the O rings had become worn or perished. Thorough cleaning, with an effective sanitiser and regular maintenance are the main preventative controls for contamination of soft serve. Additional risk occurs when the machines are able to be operated by consumers (self-serve), rather than by trained staff. Machines that are available for self-serve need to be closely monitored in the same way that a self-serve salad bar is monitored to ensure that contamination by the consumer is prevented.
In this day and age is there anything left for pregnant women to eat and drink. As a 34 year old women with children I think back to the days when my mother was pregnant. Let's see they smoked, drank (not that either is a good idea) ate fish, lunch meat, soft cheeses and numerous other things that are no no no's now. I turned out all right as did my three other siblings. I would think in this technological age and with all the regulations out there soft serve is indeed safe for pregnant women, especially after reading the post by Craig. I am currently pregnant and will continue to eat soft serve and indulge in foods on the no no lists in moderation. My first child turned out all right so I am not worried.
In response to Liz... you are correct that many women engaged in behaviors during pregnancy that we now know cause risks and many if not most of those children were in fact born healthy, however, a percentage of kids were NOT, which is how it was determined that drinking, smoking, taking drugs, etc. can be harmful to the baby. There will always be those children who are born fine, despite unsafe behaviors. Added to this is the fact that the worst of the bacterias that pregnant women are now warned against were not even identified until the 1980s and are still "relatively" rare. The problem is, if you DO consume contaminated food, you run the risk of not only harming your child, but causing mortal harm (of the published listeria outbreaks almost every single one has resulted in the death of an unborn child). IT is wonderful that you are secure enough to feel that it is safe to eat the foods in moderation... and you are probably right. Statistically, you could likely eat all of the foods to avoid every day and not have a problem, but if you have the misfortune to eat a contaminated product, you can't undo your action.
For me, erring on the side of caution is always more prudent, but I would never tell *you* that your choice is wrong... but it is a complete logical fallicy to say "I did _____ all the time, and my baby is fine, so it is safe for you to do it" Frankly, that sort of advice borders on irresponsible.
oy, she's not saying drive through starbucks in a pinto with a cigarette in one hand and a bag of coke in the glove box.
The risk is small. Make your own decisions.