Escargot, which refers to cooked land snails, is considered a delicacy in many parts of Europe and also gained some popularity in North America. During pregnancy, women need to be cautious about the foods they eat to avoid contaminants that could harm the developing baby. This article provides a comprehensive look at the safety and risks of eating escargot during pregnancy.
Can Pregnant Women Eat Escargot?
There are differing opinions on whether it is safe for pregnant women to eat escargot. Here is a quick overview of the main considerations:
- Potential exposure to toxoplasmosis – This is the biggest concern, as the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis can be found in snails and pose a risk to the fetus if contracted.
- Risk depends on preparation – Thorough cooking can destroy toxoplasma organisms, so well-cooked escargot may be safer.
- Limited research – There are no scientific studies looking specifically at escargot consumption in pregnancy, so definitive answers are lacking.
- Avoidance recommended – Many health agencies advise pregnant women to avoid escargot and other potentially undercooked meat products out of caution.
So in summary, while thoroughly cooked escargot is probably low risk, avoidance is typically recommended when pregnant due to the potential toxoplasmosis exposure. Women should consult their doctor for individualized advice.
Looking Closer at the Risks
To help pregnant women make informed decisions about eating escargot, let’s take a deeper look at the potential risks and safety considerations.
Toxoplasmosis
The parasite Toxoplasma gondii causes an infection called toxoplasmosis. It is found in undercooked or raw meat, including snails and other mollusks. While rare in the United States, toxoplasmosis affects up to 95% of some populations in Europe and up to 70% globally.
- Infection often has no symptoms in healthy adults.
- In pregnant women, it can cross the placenta and infect the fetus.
- Early in pregnancy, it may increase risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.
- Later in pregnancy, it may cause premature delivery or severe illness in the newborn.
Due to the risks it poses to the developing fetus, pregnant women are advised to avoid potential sources of toxoplasmosis.
Likelihood in Escargot
Escargot comes from edible snails specifically raised for human consumption. These snails are more likely to be free of toxoplasma organisms compared to wild snails.
However, they can still become infected by ingesting contaminated soil or food. One study found 7.4% of snails from escargot farms tested positive for toxoplasma. So contamination is possible but not extremely common.
Proper cooking is necessary to destroy any toxoplasma parasites. The USDA recommends cooking snails and other mollusks to an internal temperature of 145°F to kill potential pathogens.
Preventing Exposure
Toxoplasmosis exposure can be prevented by:
- Avoiding undercooked escargot and other snail or mollusk dishes.
- Not tasting or eating any escargot you are cooking until it is cooked through.
- Washing hands thoroughly after handling raw snails or mollusks.
- Being the only person handling and cooking raw escargot.
- Using a food thermometer to ensure escargot reaches safe minimum internal temperature.
If thoroughly cooked to safe temperatures, escargot likely poses minimal risk of toxoplasmosis. But when unsure, it may be best avoided.
Expert Recommendations
Health organizations provide guidelines on foods to avoid during pregnancy to minimize harm to the developing baby. Here are the recommendations regarding escargot:
United States
- The CDC advises avoiding the following foods:
- Raw or undercooked snails, due to risk of toxoplasmosis.
- The FDA also recommends avoiding:
- Raw or undercooked snail dishes.
Europe
- The NHS in the UK advises against:
- Eating undercooked snails and slugs, including snail soup.
- Germany’s BfR recommends avoiding:
- Raw or insufficiently cooked snails and slugs.
France
France is renowned for escargot cuisine, but even there, health agencies advise caution.
- The French Ministry of Solidarity and Health recommends:
- Thoroughly washing vegetables and herbs to avoid contamination with snail and slug slime.
- Not tasting meat or snail dishes before fully cooked.
- Cooking snail dishes to at least 67°C (152°F) internal temperature.
So while not completely prohibited, there is consensus around thoroughly cooking snail dishes and avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked snails while pregnant.
Perspectives for Pregnant Women
With conflicting perspectives on the safety of escargot in pregnancy, pregnant women may feel unsure if occasional consumption is acceptable. Here are some points to consider:
Low Risk in Well-Cooked Dishes
Thoroughly cooked escargot that reaches safe internal temperatures is unlikely to cause toxoplasmosis. Particularly if bought from quality suppliers, farmed snails pose a relatively low contamination risk. So some women may feel comfortable eating properly cooked escargot on occasion.
Difficult to Verify Proper Cooking
However, it can be difficult for pregnant home cooks to confirm snails have reached adequate temperatures throughout. Unless following a validated recipe and using a food thermometer, the safety of home-cooked escargot is questionable.
Availability of Alternatives
With many substitute foods available, avoiding escargot for nine months is reasonable. For those with pregnancy cravings for snails, mock escargot recipes use mushrooms or other ingredients to provide a similar experience without the risks.
Peace of Mind From Avoidance
Given the potential serious consequences of toxoplasmosis, many pregnant women prefer to simply avoid escargot and other raw meat products. While not necessary in all cases, abstaining from escargot may provide peace of mind.
Women should consider their own risk tolerance and cooking confidence when making choices about escargot in pregnancy.
Tips for Safe Preparation
For pregnant women who choose to eat escargot, following food safety guidelines is crucial. Here are some tips for safe preparation and consumption:
- Purchase live snails or precooked canned escargot from reputable suppliers.
- Handle raw snails carefully and cook thoroughly, to at least 145°F internal temperature.
- Use a food thermometer to verify safe internal temperature before eating.
- Cook using validated recipes, such as from cookbooks, cooking shows, or reputable websites.
- Those with less cooking experience may prefer precooked canned escargot or dishes prepared by an experienced cook.
- Always wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after handling raw snails.
- Cook separate portions without tasting along the way.
- When dining out, inquire about how escargot is prepared and cooked.
- Send back undercooked escargot for additional cooking time.
Following food safety best practices reduces the risk of toxoplasmosis and other foodborne illnesses when preparing escargot.
Healthy Escargot Recipes for Pregnancy
For pregnant women who enjoy the flavor of cooked snails and wish to eat escargot while pregnant, here are some healthy recipe ideas:
Baked Garlic Escargot
- Sauté canned escargot in butter and garlic.
- Top with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Bake until bubbly and browned.
Escargot Stuffed Mushrooms
- Mix cooked chopped escargot with herb garlic butter.
- Fill mixture into large mushroom caps.
- Bake until mushrooms are tender.
Chicken Escargot Soup
- Simmer chicken broth with cooked chopped escargot, chicken, and vegetables.
- Finish with lemon juice and parsley.
- Avoid raw egg garnishes.
Escargot Pasta
- Sauté minced shallots, garlic, and mushrooms.
- Deglaze pan with white wine, then add cooked chopped escargot.
- Toss with cooked pasta, parsley, olive oil, and seasonings.
These recipes allow pregnant women to enjoy the flavor of escargot safely by only using thoroughly cooked snails. Proper cooking and handling prevents toxoplasmosis or other illnesses.
Healthy Snail-Free Recipes
For pregnant women who wish to avoid escargot but crave a similar garlic-herb flavor, many substitutes can replicate the taste without the risks:
Mushroom Escargot
- Sauté mushrooms in a mix of butter, garlic, shallots, and herbs.
- Stuff into mushroom caps or serve over bread.
Mock Snail Butter
- Blend softened butter with chopped mushrooms, lemon juice, parsley, thyme, and garlic.
- Use as a bread spread or compound butter.
Snail-Free Pasta
- Sauté shrimp, mussels, or chicken in an escargot-inspired garlic herb butter.
- Toss with pasta and vegetables.
Garlic Herb Bread
- Spread baguette slices with garlic herb butter and toast until crisp.
- Top with Parmesan cheese.
Getting creative with recipes enables pregnant women to enjoy similar flavors and textures to escargot without the uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about eating escargot in pregnancy:
Is it safe to eat canned escargot when pregnant?
Commercially canned escargot is precooked and safe for pregnant consumption. Opt for major brands and ensure the can is not dented, cracked, or swollen.
What if I accidentally eat undercooked escargot while pregnant?
Inform your doctor, but not overly panic. The odds of one exposure leading to infection are low. Your doctor can test for toxoplasmosis and monitor your pregnancy.
Can I eat escargot if it’s simmered in soup for hours?
Carefully simmering escargot in soup or stew for several hours should kill any potential toxoplasma organisms, making it safe to eat after fully cooked.
Is it safe to eat escargot cooked at high temperatures, like grilling or broiling?
Cooked in shells over high heat, such as broiling, grilling, or roasting at 400°F or above for at least 10 minutes, escargot likely reaches safe temperatures to kill pathogens.
What if my cravings for escargot are very strong during pregnancy?
Discuss options with your doctor, like trying mock escargot recipes. If your doctor confirms your escargot source and preparation is low risk, a small portion once or twice may be acceptable.
Always consult your obstetrician or midwife when unsure if a food is safe during pregnancy.
Conclusion
Many expectant mothers wisely avoid raw meat products, including escargot, to eliminate risks of foodborne illnesses like toxoplasmosis. However, thoroughly cooked escargot is unlikely to pose harm. When preparing escargot at home, diligent food safety practices are critical, as is confirming snails reach recommended safe minimum internal temperatures. Alternatively, mock escargot recipes can satisfy cravings without the uncertainty. By understanding the risks and taking proper precautions, pregnant women can occasionally enjoy escargot or similar dishes safely during pregnancy. However, when in doubt, abstaining from escargot while pregnant is the most cautious option.
