Resolved question:
I am 32 weeks pregnant. I ate almost an entire box of whole wheat melba toast. I thought it tasted strange but I am not use to eating whole wheat. When I went to close the box (only 3 toasts were left), I noticed that the expiration date was over 7 months ago. I am now worried that I have endangered my unborn child. Will this hurt the baby? I ate this about 13 hours ago and just have a strange taste in my mouth. Stomach is upset but that could be from my worrying. There were some white flecks on the remaining toasts but they looked baked in so not sure that was mold. The package had never been opened prior to my ingesting the melba toast.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
OBGYN
Hello
Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
Actually post expiration of the food product, it has a potential of getting spoiled and contaminated with various food toxins.
You do not have an upset stomach or any other symptom of food poisoning.
If you are alright for the remaining 2 days or so, you are free from risk.
Yes, potentially if you ingest a contaminant in the food, you could endanger your unborn child.
However, at 32 weeks, all organ systems are developed, and the major risk you could pose is to yourself , and that too, a risk of simple food poisoning.
I do not think you need to worry.
The risk to baby is minimum in this scenario.
That said, be careful what you eat.
All the best.
Please feel free to discuss further.
Regards
Thank you for your response. The melba toast did not contain any eggs or milk products, mainly wheat and additives. Do these ingredients lower the chance of food toxins? I have had somewhat of an upset stomach but only slight with a bitter taste in my mouth. Is the greater risk to myself than the baby? Someone told me that stomach acids would take care of any problems that might arise as melba toast and the ingredients are not a source of listeria, e-coli, or salmonella. I have had a difficult pregnancy and just want to ensure that my baby is not going to suffer because of expired melba toast.
Hi again.
Milk and eggs as ingredients make better ground for contamination by food toxins, that is for sure.
Wheat toast too can harbour agents, albeit to a lesser degree.
Since you are relatively fine until now, you can stop worrying.
And yes, at 32 weeks, you should be more concerned about food poisoning happening to you, rather than any harm coming to the baby, which is pretty well formed and has good immunity now.
Take care.
I personally think the danger to you too is past, and you should stop worrying.
Regards.