Eating cheese is generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, there are a few types of cheese that pregnant women may want to avoid due to a higher risk of foodborne illnesses.
Soft cheeses
Soft cheeses are more likely to contain bacteria like Listeria, which can cause food poisoning and be harmful during pregnancy. The CDC recommends avoiding the following soft cheeses unless they are clearly labeled as being pasteurized:
- Brie
- Camembert
- Blue cheese
- Feta
- Goat cheese
- Queso blanco
- Queso fresco
Pasteurization helps kill any dangerous bacteria in cheese. Look for the term “pasteurized” on the cheese packaging to ensure it has undergone this process.
Unpasteurized (raw milk) cheese
Any cheese made from unpasteurized or raw milk is considered risky during pregnancy. Raw milk may contain harmful bacteria like Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. To be safe, only choose cheeses made from pasteurized milk.
Soft processed cheeses
Soft processed cheeses may also present a higher risk of foodborne illness. The CDC recommends pregnant women avoid:
- Refrigerated pates or meat spreads
- Refrigerated smoked seafood
- Deli-style salads made with the above ingredients
Again, these foods have an increased chance of harboring dangerous bacteria like Listeria.
Mold-ripened cheeses
Cheeses like Brie and Gorgonzola are mold-ripened, meaning they use mold as part of the ripening process. Eating mold-ripened soft cheeses may increase the risk of food poisoning, so it’s best for pregnant women to avoid them unless they are clearly labeled as pasteurized.
Aged cheeses
Aged hard cheeses like Parmesan and Swiss are considered safe during pregnancy because they are less likely to contain bacteria after the aging process. The longer a cheese has been aged, the lower the risk. Cheese aged over 6 months is unlikely to pose any risks.
Safe cheeses in pregnancy
Here are some types of cheese that are typically safe to eat when pregnant:
- Hard cheeses like cheddar, colby, Swiss
- Processed cheeses like American cheese slices
- Cottage cheese and cream cheese
- Mozzarella
- Parmesan
- Feta labeled as pasteurized
- Goat cheese labeled as pasteurized
As long as these cheeses are made from pasteurized milk and show no signs of mold, they should be perfectly safe to eat during pregnancy.
Tips for choosing safe cheese
Here are some tips for choosing cheeses safely during pregnancy:
- Opt for pasteurized cheese whenever possible.
- Avoid soft cheeses (like Brie) unless they specifically say “pasteurized.”
- Avoid imported cheeses, which are less likely to be pasteurized.
- Avoid mold-ripened cheeses (like blue cheese).
- Avoid cheese made from raw or unpasteurized milk.
- Read labels carefully and look for “made from pasteurized milk.”
- Purchase cheese from reputable sources and check expiration dates.
- Avoid cheese that has an off smell or appearance.
Serving cheese safely
In addition to choosing safer cheeses, follow these food safety practices when serving cheese during pregnancy:
- Avoid cheese that has been sitting out for over 2 hours.
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for cheese.
- Wash hands, utensils, and cutting boards after handling cheese.
- Store cheese properly wrapped in the refrigerator.
- Throw out cheese that is past expiration or has mold.
- Heat hot-smoked fish and deli meat to steaming before eating.
Symptoms of food poisoning
If you experience any food poisoning symptoms like diarrhea, fever, or vomiting after eating cheese, seek medical care. Certain bacteria like Listeria can be dangerous during pregnancy and lead to complications like miscarriage, stillbirth, and illness in the newborn. Symptoms typically appear within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food.
Bottom line
Most types of cheese are perfectly safe to eat during pregnancy, as long as you take precautions. Steer clear of unpasteurized soft cheeses, blue cheese, queso fresco, Brie, and Camembert unless they are clearly labeled as pasteurized. Opt for hard cheeses, processed cheeses, pasteurized feta and goat cheese, and any cheese made from pasteurized milk. Practice good food safety habits and see a doctor if you have any symptoms of foodborne illness after eating cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are soft cheeses unsafe during pregnancy?
Soft cheeses like Brie and feta are more likely to contain harmful bacteria like Listeria or E. coli that can cause food poisoning. Pregnant women are at higher risk of complications from foodborne illnesses, so it’s safest to avoid unpasteurized soft cheeses.
What happens if you eat soft cheese while pregnant?
If the soft cheese is unpasteurized and contains bacteria, it can cause food poisoning symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Some bacteria like Listeria are particularly dangerous during pregnancy and can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labor, and illness in the newborn.
Can you eat any blue cheese when pregnant?
It’s best to avoid all blue cheeses during pregnancy unless they are clearly labeled as being pasteurized. The mold used to make blue cheese can sometimes contain bacteria that cause food poisoning. Only choose pasteurized blue cheese to lower your risk.
Is mozzarella safe during pregnancy?
Yes, mozzarella is considered a safe cheese to eat during pregnancy as long as it is made from pasteurized milk. Fresh mozzarella, low-moisture part-skim or skim mozzarella, are good options.
Is Parmesan cheese safe when pregnant?
Yes, Parmesan is an aged hard cheese so it’s considered safe during pregnancy. The aging process helps make it less likely to contain any harmful bacteria.
Can you eat goat cheese when pregnant?
It’s best to avoid goat cheese unless it is clearly labeled as being pasteurized. Unpasteurized goat cheese could contain bacteria that cause food poisoning. But pasteurized goat cheese is a safe option when pregnant.
What happens if you get Listeria while pregnant?
Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to complications like premature delivery, miscarriage, stillbirth, and serious illness in the newborn. Pregnant women are 10 to 20 times more likely to get listeriosis. Prompt antibiotic treatment is needed if listeriosis is suspected.
Can you eat feta cheese when pregnant?
It’s best to avoid feta cheese during pregnancy unless it is labeled as being pasteurized. Feta is a soft cheese so it can harbor Listeria and other bacteria if unpasteurized. But pasteurized feta is safe.
Is Laughing Cow cheese pasteurized?
Yes, Laughing Cow cheese wedges are made with pasteurized milk so they are considered safe to eat during pregnancy. The pasteurization process helps kill any potential bacteria.
Conclusion
Eating cheese is generally safe during pregnancy as long as you take some basic precautions. Avoid soft cheeses, mold-ripened cheeses, imported cheeses, and anything made from raw or unpasteurized milk. Carefully read labels and only choose pasteurized products from reputable sources. With a little caution, you can continue to enjoy delicious cheese without putting yourself or your baby at risk of food poisoning.