What cheeses are safe to consume during pregnancy?

Safe Cheeses During Pregnancy

Hard cheeses, processed cheeses, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt are safe to consume during pregnancy, while soft cheeses like feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, and Mexican-style queso fresco should be avoided unless they are clearly labeled as made with pasteurized milk. 1

Safe Cheeses for Pregnant Women

Cheeses That Are Always Safe:

• Hard cheeses (cheddar, parmesan, swiss)
• Processed cheeses and cheese slices
• Cream cheese and cheese spreads
• Cottage cheese
• Yogurt

These dairy products are safe because they either undergo pasteurization or have processing methods that eliminate harmful bacteria.

Cheeses to Avoid or Check Carefully:

• Soft cheeses such as:
  • Feta
  • Brie
  • Camembert
  • Blue-veined cheeses (gorgonzola, roquefort)
  • Mexican-style cheeses (queso fresco, queso blanco, queso panela)

These soft cheeses are only safe if they are clearly labeled as made with pasteurized milk. If there's no clear indication of pasteurization, it's best to avoid them.

Why Cheese Safety Matters During Pregnancy

Pregnant women are approximately 13 times more likely to contract listeriosis than the general population 2. Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium responsible for listeriosis, can cause severe complications during pregnancy:

• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Preterm labor
• Neonatal sepsis and meningitis
• Fetal death

Listeria is particularly dangerous because:

• It can grow at refrigeration temperatures
• It can survive in diverse environments including food production facilities
• It has the ability to cross the placental barrier 3

Recent Evidence on Cheese-Related Outbreaks

Recent outbreaks highlight the ongoing risk:

• Since 2006, there has been an increase in listeriosis outbreaks associated with cheese made under unsanitary conditions 4
• Two-thirds of these outbreaks were linked to Latin-style soft cheeses, often affecting pregnant Hispanic women and their newborns
• Even cheeses made with pasteurized milk can become contaminated if proper hygiene controls aren't maintained during processing 5

Additional Food Safety Recommendations for Pregnant Women

Beyond cheese safety, pregnant women should also:

1. Ensure all dairy products consumed are pasteurized
2. Avoid raw or unpasteurized milk and milk products 1
3. Cook foods thoroughly to proper temperatures
4. Store food properly and consume within a couple of days of purchasing
5. Obtain food from reputable establishments
6. Avoid high-mercury seafood (shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tile fish) 1

What to Do If You've Consumed High-Risk Cheese

If you've consumed a potentially contaminated product:

• If you develop fever higher than 38.1°C (100.6°F) and symptoms consistent with listeriosis, seek medical attention immediately for testing and treatment
• If you remain asymptomatic after consuming a recalled product, no testing or treatment is needed
• If you develop mild gastrointestinal or flu-like symptoms but remain afebrile, consult with your healthcare provider for expectant management 2

By following these guidelines, pregnant women can significantly reduce their risk of foodborne illnesses while still enjoying a variety of safe cheese options throughout pregnancy.