Seeking Advice: Pregnant in Paris (Esp. Cheese!)
Sep 9th, 2004, 12:19 PM
#22
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A restaurant which takes pride in its cheese tray will probably have unpasteurized cheese. But as StCirq emphasized, most will have only pasteurized cheeses.
StCirq: One of my best friends in France is a woman named Pascale.
StCirq: One of my best friends in France is a woman named Pascale.
Sep 9th, 2004, 12:28 PM
#23
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The food writer Jeffrey Steingarten claims that there are only two documented incidents of listeria from cheese, and both of these came from cheese made with <b>pasteurized</b> milk: one from <i>queso fresco</i> (sp?) made in Los Angeles, and the other from a counterfeit Epoisses.
Sep 9th, 2004, 02:04 PM
#24
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Cheese contaminated with L.monocytogenes has a history of causing listeriosis. In 1985 Mexican-style cheese contaminated with this bacterium was directly linked to an outbreak that caused at least 142 cases of listeriosis in the USA including 48 deaths. An outbreak in Switzerland between 1983 and 1987, involving at least 122 cases including 34 deaths was due to contamination of Vacherin Mont d'Or cheese (Bille, 1990). Brie de Meaux soft cheese was the cause of an outbreak of listeriosis in France. Seventeen people were affected including nine pregnant women; the infection resulted in two stillbirths and two abortions and one elderly person was reported to be in a coma.
Sep 9th, 2004, 02:10 PM
#25
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000246 France Reports Listeria Deaths
January 29, 2000
Paris - Seven people, including two newborn infants, have died from listeria poisoning since the end of November, France's agriculture minister said.
A total of 23 cases of listeriosis have been detected around France, and authorities believe a single food source is responsible, though they haven't yet pinpointed the source, Agriculture Minister Jean Glavany said.
On Jan. 7, officials reported two deaths and four other poisonings by Listeria, a potent bacteria found most often in cheese and meat products.
?It's an epidemic,? Glavany told reporters, and said specialists were searching for the source at stores frequented by those contaminated.
Listeria poisoning causes fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea and diarrhea. Healthy people typically recover quickly, but listeria can cause serious, even fatal infections in children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems.
The bacteria is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, because it can cause miscarriages and stillbirths even if the mother experienced no symptoms. Listeriosis can take up to eight weeks to incubate.
Glavany advised caution for consumers most at risk of falling ill from listeriosis, saying they should avoid products like cheese, pate and rillette, the coarsely chopped pate in which fat is added and the bacteria can flourish.
January 29, 2000
Paris - Seven people, including two newborn infants, have died from listeria poisoning since the end of November, France's agriculture minister said.
A total of 23 cases of listeriosis have been detected around France, and authorities believe a single food source is responsible, though they haven't yet pinpointed the source, Agriculture Minister Jean Glavany said.
On Jan. 7, officials reported two deaths and four other poisonings by Listeria, a potent bacteria found most often in cheese and meat products.
?It's an epidemic,? Glavany told reporters, and said specialists were searching for the source at stores frequented by those contaminated.
Listeria poisoning causes fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea and diarrhea. Healthy people typically recover quickly, but listeria can cause serious, even fatal infections in children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems.
The bacteria is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, because it can cause miscarriages and stillbirths even if the mother experienced no symptoms. Listeriosis can take up to eight weeks to incubate.
Glavany advised caution for consumers most at risk of falling ill from listeriosis, saying they should avoid products like cheese, pate and rillette, the coarsely chopped pate in which fat is added and the bacteria can flourish.
Sep 9th, 2004, 02:12 PM
#26
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Agra Europe; 9/26/1997
A cheese plant in France has been closed until further notice following an outbreak of listeria. Fifteen people have fallen ill with the infection after eating unpasteurised cheeses -- Livarot, Pont l'Eveque and Pave d'Auge -- manufactured at the Quesney dairy in Sainte-Marguerite-de Viette near Lisieux in Normandy. Quesney has a workforce of four and supplies cheese to stores throughout the whole of France.
A cheese plant in France has been closed until further notice following an outbreak of listeria. Fifteen people have fallen ill with the infection after eating unpasteurised cheeses -- Livarot, Pont l'Eveque and Pave d'Auge -- manufactured at the Quesney dairy in Sainte-Marguerite-de Viette near Lisieux in Normandy. Quesney has a workforce of four and supplies cheese to stores throughout the whole of France.
Sep 9th, 2004, 02:16 PM
#27
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Company Recalls Cheese Due To Listeria Contamination June 29, 2002
De Choix Specialty Foods Co., a food importer in Woodside, N.Y., has recalled 20 cases of French cheese due to contamination with a potentially fatal bacterium. The bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes, was discovered during routine U.S. Food & Drug Administration sampling of L'Or des Domes brand St.-Nectaire, a semisoft cow's milk cheese from southeastern France.
Each of the 20 cases, which bear lot #0004114, contained three 4-pound, paper-wrapped wheels produced on April 14, 2002.
De Choix president Gene Kaplan said the 14 or 15 wheels of L'Or des Domes St.-Nectaire, which is made with pasteurized milk, were all recalled before consumption.
De Choix Specialty Foods Co., a food importer in Woodside, N.Y., has recalled 20 cases of French cheese due to contamination with a potentially fatal bacterium. The bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes, was discovered during routine U.S. Food & Drug Administration sampling of L'Or des Domes brand St.-Nectaire, a semisoft cow's milk cheese from southeastern France.
Each of the 20 cases, which bear lot #0004114, contained three 4-pound, paper-wrapped wheels produced on April 14, 2002.
De Choix president Gene Kaplan said the 14 or 15 wheels of L'Or des Domes St.-Nectaire, which is made with pasteurized milk, were all recalled before consumption.
I'll be careful.
Sep 9th, 2004, 03:41 PM
#29
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Rufus, you'd put me off cheese pregnant or not. 
BLN, I haven't eaten at this restaurant but it's gotten lots of really good reviews here on Fodors and elsewhere, and it's in the 1st. It's Le Fumoir on 6 Rue de l'Admiral Coligny, one block west of Rue de Rivoli, very near the Louvre. The phone number (reservations strongly recommended) is 01 42 92 00 24. I have it on my list of restaurants I'd like to visit while in Paris.
We'll be back from our trip a few days before you leave, but if you can think of any specific Paris questions, you can always email me before you go!
BLN, I haven't eaten at this restaurant but it's gotten lots of really good reviews here on Fodors and elsewhere, and it's in the 1st. It's Le Fumoir on 6 Rue de l'Admiral Coligny, one block west of Rue de Rivoli, very near the Louvre. The phone number (reservations strongly recommended) is 01 42 92 00 24. I have it on my list of restaurants I'd like to visit while in Paris.
We'll be back from our trip a few days before you leave, but if you can think of any specific Paris questions, you can always email me before you go!
Sep 9th, 2004, 04:46 PM
#31
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What a nice thing to say, BLN. Please do write--one of my friends is in Paris right now. I drove her to the airport and she was so happy to have saved the $50 cab fare that she asked what I wanted from Paris. I said "only your brains!" So now I am getting a first-hand, detailed report of Paris, complete with tips (my friend is visiting a friend who lives full-time in Paris) and excellent observations! I will be happy to share.
Sep 9th, 2004, 07:09 PM
#32
A nice restaurant in the 1st is l'Argenteuil on a small street of the same name. Small, also has a few outdoor tables in nice weather, great food beautifully presented, wonderful wine list for your husband, did not appear to speak English but tolerated my French with smiles.
Sep 10th, 2004, 02:51 AM
#33
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I was in Paris while pregnant last year. I had less trouble with cheese than with wine. A little of each and I have a very healthy 10 week old baby girl. I used my concerns - and the consequent small quantities I indulged in - to justify having only the very best. Just be smart and you'll be fine.
Off the subject but worth mentioning IMO is that you might enjoy reading "Paris to the Moon" while there or before you go. It is a wonderful remembrance of Adam Gopnik's own experience in France with a pregnant wife and young son. I loved it - the observations of cultural differences/similarities were astute and hilarious.
Congratulations!
Off the subject but worth mentioning IMO is that you might enjoy reading "Paris to the Moon" while there or before you go. It is a wonderful remembrance of Adam Gopnik's own experience in France with a pregnant wife and young son. I loved it - the observations of cultural differences/similarities were astute and hilarious.
Congratulations!
Sep 14th, 2004, 12:45 PM
#36
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Gretchen--so are you suggesting that just because the particular stories I found in about 3 minutes of searching the web happened 2 or more years ago that listeria outbreaks are now impossible in Europe?
Sep 14th, 2004, 02:18 PM
#38
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I was in Paris while pregnant and had a great time. I avoided the cheese entirely. However, I found that I had to learn the French phrase for "I am pregnant" in order to discuss the menu in my limited French. Once they understood why I was asking all kinds of questions about the menu, they were very sympathtic and kind. The best part about being pregnant in Paris is the fabulous shopping for bebe.
Sep 14th, 2004, 02:55 PM
#39
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Don't know anything about listeriosis, but I came down with brucellosis - also called Undulant or Malta fever - after having eaten cheese made from unpasteurized milk. Pregnant or not, you don't want to contract this. Buy a baguette, butter, and cheese from a store where you can read the label and have a picnic in your room. By the way, my daughter was born in the American Hospital in Neuilly.
