It is generally advised not to eat pâté when pregnant because it can carry a risk of listeria infection, which can harm the baby and lead to miscarriage. Liver pâté in particular should be avoided due to high levels of vitamin A, which can cause birth defects. However, some pâtés that are pasteurised or heat-treated and sold at room temperature (such as certain salmon or vegetable pâtés) are considered safe to eat during pregnancy. Summary:
- Avoid all types of liver pâté during pregnancy due to vitamin A toxicity risk and listeria bacteria.
- Avoid refrigerated or chilled pâtés as they may contain listeria.
- Some heat-treated or pasteurised pâtés sold unrefrigerated can be safe (e.g., certain salmon or vegan pâtés).
- Always check product packaging for storage and preparation instructions to ensure safety.
This aligns with advice from the NHS, Tommy's, BabyMed, and other pregnancy health authorities.
