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Unpasteurized dairy products
Avoiding unpasteurized dairy products during pregnancy is an important food safety measure. Unpasteurized dairy products, including milk, cheese, and yogurt, can carry a risk of containing harmful bacteria, such as Listeria and E. coli, which can cause foodborne illnesses. These illnesses can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy, harming both the mother and the developing fetus.
Pasteurization kills or inactivates harmful pathogens while preserving the nutritional quality of the dairy product. Pasteurized dairy products are considered safe to consume during pregnancy because they have undergone this process to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.