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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Can I eat Mr Whippy ice cream

27 replies

Clarabell78 · 06/03/2013 19:43

... Could murder a 99 from the ice cream can but was sure I read somewhere soft ice cream is off limits for pregnant ladies - anybody know?

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MightBeMad · 06/03/2013 20:01

I think it is I'm afraid :( something to do with slightly higher risk of food poisoning then other ice cream. Sorry!

orangeshortbread · 06/03/2013 20:02

My midwife told me not to eat it - I think it contains unpasteurised milk

eltsihT · 06/03/2013 20:03

I think it's a listeria risk as the milk is not stored in the machines at a low enough temperature. I craved McDonald type milk shakes last pregnancy and couldn't have them for the same reason.

bouncingorange · 06/03/2013 20:06

I was told not to. Same with McFlurries although I did have a couple right towards the end of my pregnancy.

Original poster
Clarabell78 · 06/03/2013 20:08

Booo :-( oh well might settle for a magnum

OP posts:
PseudoBadger · 06/03/2013 20:09

It's not advised against officially in the UK afaik. And it doesn't contain unpasteurised milk!

PandaWatch · 06/03/2013 20:14

The main issue with mr whippy from a van is the dubious hygiene. Places like mcdonalds have a far stricter and much more easily enforced hygiene policy. And yes - it's pasteurised. So you run about as much a risk with a mcdonalds milkshake or mcflurry as you do with anything you eat in a restaurant.

Really want a strawberry milkshake now!!

Bunbaker · 06/03/2013 20:15

I think it is because Mr Yuck Whippy style ice cream dispensers aren't always kept as clean as they should be.

Carolra · 06/03/2013 20:18

It's fine. See NHS recommendations... Soft ice cream is at the bottom of the link. Says you can avoid it if you want to but it shouldn't be a problem. Generally how I understand it, is that as long as the mix isn't sat in the machine for ages there is no risk... So buy one from somewhere like McDs where the machine is used and cleaned regularly.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/foods-to-avoid-pregnant.aspx

MrsSpencerReid · 06/03/2013 20:22

I ate LOADS whilst preg with ds ShockBlush thanks for NHL link, I was getting worried!

pinkpudding · 06/03/2013 20:26

i work in a unit for immunocompromised patients. mr whippy is absolutely off limits due to dubious hygiene and open nozzle and refrigeration running off car battery. I was told if van on a slope it can make temperature of storage variable. Therefore possibility allowing listeria to grow.
Reputable cafe's and restaurants check their refrigeration units temperature daily and it differs little as they run off mains current. Buy from them.

ButteryJam · 06/03/2013 21:08

I've had McDonalds ice cream as every other whippey was off limit.

Bunbaker · 06/03/2013 21:52

What's wrong with proper ice cream? Mr Whippy isn't exactly nice.

sundaesundae · 06/03/2013 21:55

LOL Bunbaker, personal choice, I love Mr Whippy! Haven't had one because it has been winter, but have had McD's shakes and flurries, noms.

doughnut44 · 06/03/2013 22:01

I developed food poisoning during pregnancy after eating a whipped ice cream. It was called something like camphylobacter? I read up on it and I think it could have been the cone rather than the ice cream - something to do with rats urine? It's 13 years ago now so memory is slightly flawed. I am sure someone will put me right

LadySnapcase · 07/03/2013 10:58

I've also been craving this, have chanced a couple of McFlurries and they were like nectar..! My instinct says McDonalds will be cleaner than the dodgy van man but having said that, who really knows... Confused

FoofFighter · 07/03/2013 13:58

McDonalds machines are stripped and flushed through/cleaned every night so I'd say it's pretty ok.

ButteryJam · 07/03/2013 14:05

FoofFighter, thanks! :) Now I can have them without feeling any guilt ... Grin

Crmmum · 07/03/2013 17:59

I ate / eat them during pregnancy... Never did me any harm! McDonald's ones are totally fine, strict hygiene rules, would maybe give the van a miss just in case?

Hollie2128 · 16/04/2015 22:15

Why do people think ice cream machines are unhygienic???

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 16/04/2015 22:25

I craved McDonald's chocolate milkshakes all through my pregnancy, my extremely down to earth and sensible midwife said it was fine but that I should avoid ice cream vans because of the risk of listeria.

DP worked for McDonald's years ago and my cousin worked for them whilst at school and both said the machines are stripped and cleaned at least once a day and the temperature checked regularly throughout the day so the risk of food poisoning is tiny.

scarednoob · 17/04/2015 08:34

I was desperate for a snog frozen yoghurt and so checked this out. It's not the product or the machinery, it's the risk that the people operating it aren't being rigorous with the cleaning. If not, all sorts of nasties can lurk in the pipework. So it depends on how well you know them/trust them to keep it clean.

I do trust snog but I still sighed and went for a bottle of water instead!!

newbian · 17/04/2015 08:40

I ate quite a bit of soft serve ice cream on Easter vacation and only heard since coming back that it's a risk. It's not on the list of foods I was told to avoid. It didn't make me sick either. But it was from a chain (Dairy Queen) and not a random truck.

Cornberry · 17/04/2015 09:39

I've had A couple of McDonald's sundaes - didn't even know it was a risk?!

scarednoob · 17/04/2015 09:47

i'd have thought mcdonald's and dairy queen would have rigorous cleaning schedules, so i'm sure those are fine!

man, this is making me crave ice cream now... a big mountain of it topped with raspberry sauce and a flake. no horrid tasteless cones though. cones are evil.