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 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.

i STRONGLY agree with laura. Yes in the past some things were not commonly known to be harmful, but i could write a book on things they used to believe were safe in our parents and grandparents times that are irresponsible and insane to do during pregnancy now. Personally i choose not to run the risk of harming my unborn child, but to each their own? I guess. It makes me wonder sometimes what these women are thinking as i see them puffin away on thier cigs and downing thier mountain dews. Becoming a parent is about sacrifices no matter how uncomfortable or unpleasing it may be to you, because after all, another humans life is in your hands, and some people are either too selfish or dont understand the great responsibility that lies on their shoulders. Not all women are that lucky, and those who are biologically able to conceive, should not take the task of motherhood lightly. Its not about what you want, it should be about whats best for that defenseless baby, that has no choice in the matter. Grow up!