The new research may lead to stronger warnings for women to avoid cured meats including parma ham and salami as well as rare steaks, along with other foods on the banned list including certain cheeses, raw eggs and seafood.

More than 1,000 women in six European cities were quizzed about their occupations, lifestyles and eating habits as well as their knowledge of sources of infection.

The researchers found that between 30 and 63% of infections could be attributed to eating raw, undercooked or cured meat, while contact with soil was thought to have caused between six and 17% of infections.

The least number of infections were caused in women who tasted raw meat while preparing meals, drank unpasteurised milk or worked with animals, and contact with cats was not found to be a risk factor for infection.

The researchers, who published their work in today’s British Medical Journal, found that women thought cats, eating raw meat and eating raw or unwashed fruit and vegetables were the main source of infection.

They have called for better consistency of information for pregnant women, better labelling of meat and improved farm hygiene.

Despite the news, the risk of toxoplasmosis is still very small. If you think you may have been exposed, there is a blood test that can check, and the Toxoplasmosis Trust say that 95% of antenatal clinics will test if you ask, or you can also ask your GP. There is an antibiotic that can reduce the chances of the foetus being infected if the test is found to be positive.

The Toxoplasmosis Trust has a range of fact sheets and information available online which go into detail about the risks, testing and treatment. Click here to visit their website.

Click here to read babyworld's information on food safety in pregnancy

Read the advice the babyworld experts gave on protecting against infections from family pets during pregnancy:

Q. "I have a cat. Should I take any precautions during my pregnancy?"
Q. "What are the dangers to a pregnant woman if she is bitten or scratched by a cat?"

Share your thoughts on this latest research on our Views on the News discussion board. If you have worries about your pregnancy, visit the Pregnancy Problems discussion board for encouragement and support.