(Indianapolis, IN, July 1, 2005) The March of Dimes Indiana Chapter hopes families will help babies be “free” from birth defects over the 4th of July holiday by avoiding serving foods that could harm unborn babies and that could contribute to the risk of premature birth among women who are pregnant or who are thinking of becoming pregnant.

The March of Dimes recommends that families use common sense when preparing and selecting foods for their holiday cookouts and gatherings.   The March of Dimes suggests avoiding the following:

• Swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tile fish. These fish can contain potentially risky levels of mercury. Mercury can be transferred to the growing fetus and cause serious health problems. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a pregnant woman can safely eat up to 12 ounces (two average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are low in mercury. These include shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish. But you should eat no more than 6 ounces of canned albacore (white) tuna per week. Canned white tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. For the same reason, eat no more than 6 ounces of tuna steak per week. Also avoid game fish until you check its safety with your local health department. (A game fish is any fish caught for sport, such as trout, salmon or bass.) 
• Raw fish, especially shellfish (oysters, clams) 
• Undercooked meat, poultry, seafood and hot dogs. Cook all meat, poultry and seafood thoroughly to kill bacteria. Cook hot dogs until they are steaming hot. Deli meats (such as ham, salami, and bologna) are an occasional cause of food poisoning; pregnant women may choose to avoid them or reheat them before eating. 
• Refrigerated pate#s or meat spreads. Canned versions are safe. 
• Refrigerated smoked seafood unless it has been cooked (as in a casserole). 
• Soft-scrambled eggs and all foods made with raw or lightly cooked eggs.
• Soft cheeses such as Brie, feta, Camembert, Roquefort and Mexican-style, unless they are labeled as made with pasteurized milk.
• Unpasteurized milk and any foods made from it.
• Unpasteurized juices 
• Raw vegetable sprouts, including alfalfa, clover and radish.
• Herbal supplements and teas
• The March of Dimes urges women who are pregnant or who are thinking of becoming pregnant to avoid alcohol, tobacco and medications not approved by her doctor. 

For more information about birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality and what you can do to prevent them visit the March of Dimes Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center at www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec.  It is a free community service of the March of Dimes where women and families can get expert, caring advice about risks to the health of an expected baby and how to care for a newborn.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com/Indiana or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.