Listeriosis/food prep other bacteria??

[willow5]

This might be a stupid question, but you don't know til you ask, and better to be safe than sorry.

I'm just a little paranoid about these things!!!!

I've been off work for 2 and a half months with morning sickness and I'm starting back on thursday.
I want to be organised so I don't have to do too much in the morning before I leave so...

Does anyone know if it would be ok to make my sandwich for lunch the night before and have it in the fridge ready to go?? I would usually have cheese, tomato and cucumber, but wouldn't want to endanger bub if it's safer to make it in the morning?

[bon]

I think probably the fresher the better, so safer to make it in the morning, and keep it nice and cold.

[drbeee]

I agree, make it fresh in the morning just to be safe....

[satya]

I'd say it would be fine to make it the night before but don't use the skin of the vegies.

[Taurean]

I'd prefer a freshly made sandwich but not because I'd be worried about listeria risks, I just prefer it fresh! I figure if all the stuff you're putting in the sandwich are currently living in your fridge, why would all the ingredients suddenly become a risk if they are combined into a sandwich the day before you eat them? They say the rule is don't eat leftovers which are more than 24 hours old so I say if you stick to that, it should be fine. Although I've broken that rule on several occassions - whoops!

[willow5]

Taurean, I was thinking the same thing about the difference of the stuff on the sandwich or just in the fridge, didn't think that would be a listeria worry but maybe when the bread got moist from the tomato juice it could be a different bacteria worry...like I said just a little paranoid lol

[Taurean]

Taurean, I was thinking the same thing about the difference of the stuff on the sandwich or just in the fridge, didn't think that would be a listeria worry but maybe when the bread got moist from the tomato juice it could be a different bacteria worry...like I said just a little paranoid lol

That's why I'd prefer fresh. Hadn't even thought of that scenario for possible bacteria growth but the thought of soggy bread does my head in. He he he

[willow5]

Soggy bread is pretty gross but if you arrange the tomato to be in between the cheese and cucumber it protects the bread a bit even better with a lettuce layer on the outside....I'm just not a morning person so the less I have to do the better might just have to learn to such it up and make my lunch in the mornings now just incase

[Taurean]

I use to chop everything up then assemble the sandwich at work. You could try that!

[human bean]

Wow I hadn't thought of this - good question! Every week night DH or I make our lunch for the next day - always a fresh salad sealed in a plastic container in the fridge. I've been really careful in every other aspect, but does this mean I should be making my lunch in the morning? I am soooo not a morning person lol

[willow5]

The at work assembley could be the way to go Taurean

I'm with you human bean mornings are not my friend! Not sure about the salad for lunch either I don't understand the logistics of it all...and the pg hormones are making it hard for me to absorb info (well that's my story and I'm sticking to it lol)...we need a chef or food handling expert

[human bean]

Actually this thread has also got me thinking - we use Safegaurd Fruit & Vege Wash and I wash all our fruit and veg with it (and then rinse) when I get home from the markets. Anyone out there use it? Or know if it's still okay to use whilst pregnant? It doesn't have any warnings on the label....just checked the website and it doesn't say anything in the FAQ's. It says it's all natural ingredients so I imagine it's safe to use?

Sorry to go off on another tangent!

[willow5]

I've never heard of safeguard fruit and veg, I know at work they use a bleach like solution to wash the fruit and veg I wouldn't be keen on eating after the bleach stuff.
Would be interested to know if the safeguard is ok I wouldn't mind using it if it's all good, where do you get it from?

[human bean]

I pick it up at a local fruit and vege shop - only place I've seen it but to be honest I haven't actively looked elsewhere for it because I know where to get it! I'm not sure if I am allowed to post the link but if you google the name their website should come up and it has quite a comprehensive list of stockists.

I emailed them asking if it's safe to use and am waiting to hear back...

[GoingtobebiginAsia]

My dumb question is -- where does listeria come from?
Is it present in the air, and moist food allows it to multiply to levels that can affect humans? Is it something that's released as certain foods start to deteriorate?
I have read so many lists of "foods to avoid" but none of the websites I visit explain what is, to me, the basic information.
Does anyone know the answer?

[willow5]

Thanks HB...and yes Goingtobebiginasia all good questions! I've done a bit of googling too but can't quite grasp what it is too...keen to hear if anyone knows.
Or if someone can explain it in a way that my limited brain function can understand at the moment...lol