New instructions: pregnant women can eat liverwurst and liver pâté

Restrictions on use of liver during pregnancy are lightened

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Liverwurst and liver pâté can be eaten in moderation during pregnancy, a new recommendation suggests.
      The limit is set at 200 grams per week. For the daily use of liverwurst the recommendation is no more than two slices.
      However, women should continue to avoid having main meals made out of liver, such as liver steaks, escalloped liver, and liver casseroles, during the entire pregnancy. Fish liver oil and multi-vitamin products containing vitamin A should also be avoided.
     
The new recommendations were issued by the Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira), the National Public Health Institute, and the Government Advisory Committee for Nutrition.
      Liver contains a lot of vitamin A in such a form that it may cause foetal damage and increase the risk of miscarriage.
     
Until now, pregnant woman have been advised to avoid liver altogether. In an Evira risk assessment, however, it was noticed that moderate consumption of liverwurst and liver pâté does not breach the safety limits.
      Vitamin A is still needed during the pregnancy as well, and for this reason vegetables, berries, and fruit that contain the vitamin in a safe form should be eaten in abundance.
     
The vitamin A sealed in liver became a hot topic in 1989, when Finnish researchers noticed that it increased the risk of damage to the unborn foetus. After the publication of the study the amounts of vitamin A in animal fodder were lowered.
      Evira also has plans to reassess the vitamin A recommendations for children. According to the current instructions, children under 12 months should not eat liver at all, and even pre-schoolers should not have it more than twice a month.


Links:
  Evira recommendations for consumption of liver

Helsingin Sanomat