Are bean sprouts safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about bean sprouts during pregnancy?

1. Sprouts, especially alfalfa, have been linked to more than 60 foodborne illness outbreaks worldwide since 1988, most caused by Salmonella or E. coli. 1
2. Raw sprouts fall into the uncooked vegetable group that's more likely to carry Listeria, along with unpasteurized dairy, undercooked meat and fish, and deli meat. 2
3. One outbreak traced over 242 Salmonella infections across 17 U.S. states and Finland back to alfalfa sprouts grown from a single contaminated seed lot, showing contamination can start inside the seed itself. 3
4. A UK outbreak of 231 Salmonella cases was linked directly to eating bean sprouts, and investigators said teaching people to cook bean sprouts properly was the best way to cut down on further cases. 4
5. Most Salmonella infections just cause diarrhea, fever, and cramping that clear up on their own, but in rare cases during pregnancy it can lead to miscarriage or a serious bloodstream infection. 5

Is bean sprouts safe in each trimester?

• First trimester. This caution stays the same no matter your trimester: what matters is how the sprouts are cooked, not how far along you are. Craving pho or a stir-fry? Just ask for the sprouts to cook through in the hot broth or wok instead of getting tossed on raw at the end.
• Second trimester. The same guidance carries into the second trimester, when cravings for noodle bowls and stir-fries often come back. Look for sprouts that are limp and steaming hot all the way through, not pale, crisp, and cool.
• Third trimester. In rare cases, Salmonella infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or a serious bloodstream infection, so late pregnancy is not the time to relax about a raw garnish. Keep choosing fully cooked sprouts, and tell your provider promptly about any diarrhea, fever, or stomach cramping.