Soft-serve ice cream like Mr Whippy is a popular treat, but there are specific considerations during pregnancy. The primary concern is the potential risk of listeria infection, as the ice cream is typically dispensed from machines that must be cleaned regularly and properly. If these machines are not maintained to high hygiene standards, they can harbour the listeria bacteria, which can cause an infection that is particularly dangerous during pregnancy and can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth[1].
Because of this risk, most health authorities recommend avoiding soft-serve ice cream and thick shakes during pregnancy, unless you are confident that the serving machine is frequently and properly cleaned and that the outlet has high food safety standards. Look for a van or kiosk that displays a Food Standards Agency certificate with a hygiene rating of 4 or 5, which indicates a good standard of hygiene and that it should be safer to consume[1][5]. Government and medical sources generally advise avoiding soft serve ice cream from vans and kiosks altogether to minimise risk[4][6].
Store-bought tubs and individually packaged ice cream products are considered safe as they are processed with pasteurised milk and eggs, significantly reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses like listeria and salmonella[1][2][7].
References
- [1] Is ice cream safe to eat in pregnancy? | MadeForMums
- [2] Ice Cream When Pregnant: Safety, Nutrition, Side Effects – Healthline
- [4] Food Safety in pregnancy – Queensland Government
- [5] Pregnant Towie star has been unfairly slammed on social media for enjoying soft ice cream
- [6] Mayo Clinic Minute: Pregnancy is no picnic when it comes to listeria
- [7] Foods to avoid in pregnancy – NHS
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