Is Pâté & refrigerated meat spreads safe during pregnancy?
Avoid refrigerated pâté and meat spreads in pregnancy. Canned or shelf-stable versions are OK.
What the sources say
CDC, FDA and Mayo Clinic advise avoiding refrigerated pâtés and meat spreads during pregnancy because of Listeria; versions in sealed, airtight containers that don't need refrigeration before opening (canned or shelf-stable) are the safer choice. Liver pâtés also carry a lot of preformed vitamin A, which NHS advises avoiding in pregnancy. No special restriction while breastfeeding (CDC).
Common alternatives
Also listed as
pâté, pate, liver pâté, chicken liver pâté, chicken liver pate, foie gras, terrine, rillettes, liverwurst, braunschweiger, meat spread, mousse de foie
Sources
- CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women
- CDC: Preventing Listeria Infection
- FDA: Food Safety for Moms-to-Be At-a-Glance
- Mayo Clinic: Pregnancy nutrition: Foods to avoid during pregnancy
- NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy
- CDC: Maternal Diet and Breastfeeding
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.