What cheeses can I eat while pregnant?
Emily Dawson
Published Apr 02, 2026
What cheeses can I eat while pregnant?
What you can eat
- all hard pasteurised cheeses such as cheddar, Stilton and parmesan.
- soft pasteurised cheeses such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, paneer, ricotta, halloumi, goats’ cheese without a white coating on the outside (rind) and processed cheese spreads.
What soft cheeses are not pasteurized?
Soft, unpasteurized cheeses like feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, and goat — as well as ready-to-eat meats like hot dogs and deli meats — may contain Listeria, bacteria that cause mild flu-like symptoms in most adults but can be very dangerous for unborn babies.
Is all mozzarella cheese pasteurized?
In the U.S., nearly all fresh (unaged, rindless) cheese—like mozzarella, fresh goat cheese/chèvre, ricotta, or feta—is pasteurized. It also means that 99 percent of soft, creamy, spreadable cheeses are pasteurized. Think Laughing Cow, Brie, Camembert, or Taleggio.
Can I eat unpasteurized cheese while pregnant?
When you’re pregnant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends avoiding unpasteurized soft cheese, raw milk, unpasteurized yogurt, and unpasteurized ice cream. That’s because these products may rarely contain the bacteria listeria, which can cause listeriosis.
How do I know if cheese is pasteurized?
Cheese that’s labeled “pasteurized” is considered a safe bet, whether it’s hard cheese or soft cheese, whether it will be served cooked in a casserole, melted on a sandwich or piping hot on a pizza, crumbled cold in a salad or atop an enchilada, or room temperature on a cheese plate.
Is watermelon good when your pregnant?
Watermelon. Watermelon has it all: high levels of vitamins A, C and B6, as well as potassium for cramps and magnesium. Magnesium helps muscles relax, which can prevent premature contractions during pregnancy. In addition, watermelon can fight morning sickness, reduce heartburn, and prevent dehydration.
Which juice is not good for pregnancy?
Orange juice contains potassium, which can help lower your blood pressure. However, avoid orange juice or any other type of fruit juice that’s raw or freshly squeezed during pregnancy because these can be unsafe.
What kind of cheese is made with unpasteurized milk?
Raw-milk cheese is made with milk that is unpasteurized. Raw-milk cheeses may be firm, oozy, creamy, or crumbly, and can come in any shape, from wheel to block.
Why is there a war between pasteurized and unpasteurized cheese?
The “war” that exists between cheese enthusiasts and law makers stems from the safety aspect of selling unpasteurized cheese. The unpasteurized, raw milk advocates argue that it’s been made safely for centuries, and that possible negative health effects are very uncommon.
Is it legal to buy unpasteurized milk cheese?
The Legality of Raw-Milk Cheeses Since 1949, the U.S. government has forbidden the sale of cheese made from unpasteurized milk unless the cheese is aged at least 60 days. The 60-day ban is meant to protect consumers from potentially harmful pathogens.
Which is the least processed form of cheese?
Farmer’s cheese made from either sheep or goats’ milk is considered to be the least processed form of cheese, and can be pasteurized or unpasteurized. Because the method of making this cheese doesn’t alter the milk fat content in any way, the end result is an all-natural, mild, easily spreadable product full of health benefits.
What cheeses are illegal in the US?
1) Brie de Meaux. 2) Casu Marzu. 3) Mimolette. 4) Roquefort.
Are most cheeses in the US pasteurized?
In the U.S., nearly all fresh (unaged, rindless) cheese-like mozzarella, fresh goat cheese/chèvre, ricotta, or feta-is pasteurized. It also means that 99 percent of soft, creamy, spreadable cheeses are pasteurized. Think Laughing Cow, Brie, Camembert, or Taleggio.
What is considered unpasteurized?
unpasteurized(Adjective) Relating to perishible food which has not been pasteurised. i.e. heat treatment to destroy heat sensitive vegetative cells followed by immediate cooling to limit growth of the surviving cells and germination of spores.
What is the process to pasteurize cheese?
Pasteurised processed cheese is a food product made by mixing and heating natural cheeses with other unfermented dairy ingredients, emulsifiers, food colourings, salt or whey. Processed cheese exists in many textures, flavours and colours.