Is it safe to eat Raw or Undercooked Meat during pregnancy?

Cook all meat to safe internal temps. Toxoplasmosis risk. Raw meat can carry toxoplasma and listeria. Toxoplasma is especially concerning in the first trimester. Cook to 145 F for whole cuts of beef/lamb/pork (with 3 min rest), 160 F for ground meats, 165 F for poultry. Use a meat thermometer — visual is unreliable.

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Is Raw or Undercooked Meat safe in pregnancy?

Verdict

✗ No — avoid

Cook all meat to safe internal temps. Toxoplasmosis risk.

Why

Raw meat can carry toxoplasma and listeria. Toxoplasma is especially concerning in the first trimester.

The specifics

Cook to 145 F for whole cuts of beef/lamb/pork (with 3 min rest), 160 F for ground meats, 165 F for poultry. Use a meat thermometer — visual is unreliable.

Sources

CDC Toxoplasmosis 2024

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