Kamil Perry
Blue cheese is a popular dairy product used in salad dressings, sauces, and snacks. However, its safety for pregnant women has been a topic of debate due to the potential risk of Listeria contamination. Listeriosis, the infection caused by Listeria bacteria, can be extremely dangerous for unborn babies and lead to serious complications. While the overall risk of contracting listeriosis is low, pregnant women are up to 20 times more likely to develop the infection, which is why it is generally recommended to avoid blue cheese during pregnancy. However, some sources suggest that thoroughly cooked dishes containing blue cheese, such as pizza or pasta, may be safe as cooking kills the Listeria bacteria. Additionally, some blue cheeses are made with pasteurized milk, which is considered safe for consumption during pregnancy.
Is blue cheese safe for pregnant women?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safe to eat | No, it is not considered safe to eat for pregnant women due to the risk of Listeria contamination. |
| Safe temperature | Cooking blue cheese until steaming hot kills the Listeria bacteria, making it safe to eat. |
| Pasteurized | Some blue cheeses are pasteurized, and these are safe to eat. |
| Symptoms of Listeria infection | Vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever above 100.5°F (38°C). |
| Risk of infection | Pregnant women are up to 20 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population. |
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What You'll Learn
- Blue cheese is often made with unpasteurized milk, which can cause listeria
- Listeria can cause miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, or serious illness in newborns
- Cooking blue cheese kills listeria, so cooked blue cheese is likely safe to eat
- Some blue cheeses are made with pasteurized milk and are safe to eat
- Blue cheese dressing is likely to be pasteurized and safe, but it's best to check the label
Blue cheese is often made with unpasteurized milk, which can cause listeria
Unpasteurized (or raw milk) soft cheese can be contaminated with listeria, a harmful bacterium that can cause listeriosis. This foodborne infection is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, who are about 20 times more likely to develop listeriosis after eating contaminated food than other healthy adults. Listeria enters the bloodstream directly and can quickly reach the baby, possibly leading to miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, or serious illness (or even death) in a newborn.
While listeriosis is rare, pregnant women are more likely to get it than the general population. The risk of contracting listeriosis is extremely low, even when pregnant. However, the potential for it to cause problems during pregnancy is higher, and the risks may be greater in the third trimester. Experts, including the CDC and ACOG, recommend taking precautions to prevent listeria infection throughout pregnancy.
To reduce the risk of listeria poisoning, pregnant women should avoid most blue cheese and products containing it. Some blue cheeses, such as Stilton, are made with pasteurized milk and are safe to consume. Pregnant women can also opt to eat cooked blue cheese, as cooking can kill listeria. Checking the product label can help determine if the blue cheese has been pasteurized.
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Listeria can cause miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, or serious illness in newborns
Listeria is a kind of bacteria that can cause one of the most serious types of food poisoning. It is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be very serious for pregnant women, who are about 10 to 20 times more likely to get listeriosis than other healthy adults. This is because their immune systems are altered during pregnancy, making it harder for them to fight off infections.
In newborns, listeria can cause blood infections and meningitis, a life-threatening complication of a listeria infection. Signs and symptoms of a listeria infection in a newborn can be subtle and include fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea. If a newborn exhibits these symptoms, it is important to contact a doctor.
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Cooking blue cheese kills listeria, so cooked blue cheese is likely safe to eat
Blue cheese is often made with unpasteurized milk, which puts it at a high risk of causing listeriosis, a potentially fatal infection for unborn babies. Listeriosis is rare, but pregnant women are up to 20 times more likely to get it than the general population. As such, pregnant women are generally advised to avoid blue cheese and products containing it.
However, cooking blue cheese until it is steaming hot kills the Listeria bacteria, making it safe to eat for pregnant women. Pasteurization, a process that uses mild heat to partially sterilize certain foods, also kills the bacteria. While relatively few blue cheeses are pasteurized, some varieties, such as Stilton, are required to be pasteurized and are therefore safe to consume.
If you are pregnant and have eaten unpasteurized blue cheese, monitor your health for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever above 100.5°F (38°C). If you start to feel sick or experience any listeriosis symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
In summary, while blue cheese made with unpasteurized milk is generally not recommended for pregnant women due to the risk of Listeria contamination, cooking blue cheese until it is steaming hot or choosing pasteurized varieties kills the bacteria and makes it likely safe to consume during pregnancy.
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Some blue cheeses are made with pasteurized milk and are safe to eat
While blue cheese is often made with unpasteurized milk, which puts it at a high risk of causing listeriosis, a potentially fatal infection for unborn babies, some blue cheeses are made with pasteurized milk and are safe to eat during pregnancy.
Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria that causes listeriosis, can be killed by pasteurization, which uses mild heat to partially sterilize certain foods. Relatively few blue cheeses are pasteurized, but they do exist, and they are safe to consume. These include harder blue cheeses such as Stilton, which must be pasteurized to bear the name Stilton, and Danish Blue.
If you are pregnant and have eaten unpasteurized blue cheese, the best course of action is to monitor your symptoms and call your healthcare provider if you are concerned. Symptoms of listeria poisoning typically appear within a few days of eating contaminated food, but they can also take up to 30 days to manifest. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever above 100.5°F (38°C).
To avoid the risk of listeria poisoning, pregnant women may wish to avoid blue cheese dressings and other products containing blue cheese. If you do choose to buy blue cheese, select a product that has been pasteurized, and always check the label to confirm.
It is important to note that cooking can kill listeria, so thoroughly cooked dishes containing blue cheese, such as pizza, are likely safe to eat while pregnant.
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Blue cheese dressing is likely to be pasteurized and safe, but it's best to check the label
Blue cheese is often made with unpasteurized milk, which puts it at a high risk of causing listeriosis, a potentially fatal infection for unborn babies. Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Listeria, which can be found in food products such as cheese and can be contracted by anyone. However, pregnant women are about 20 times more likely to develop listeriosis after eating contaminated food than other healthy adults.
Blue cheese dressing is likely to be pasteurized, and therefore safe to consume during pregnancy. This is because the low pH of dressings will kill bacteria over time. However, it is always best to check the label to ensure that the product has been pasteurized. Pasteurization, which uses mild heat to partially sterilize certain foods, kills the Listeria bacteria.
If you have eaten unpasteurized blue cheese while pregnant, it is recommended that you monitor your symptoms and contact your healthcare provider if you are concerned or begin to feel sick. Symptoms of listeria poisoning typically appear within a few days of eating contaminated food, but some people may not experience symptoms for up to 30 days. These symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever above 100.5°F (38°C).
To be extra cautious, pregnant women may opt to avoid blue cheese products altogether or only buy ones that are made with pasteurized milk. Harder blue cheeses, such as Stilton or Danish Blue, may be a safer option than softer varieties like Gorgonzola. Cooking blue cheese also kills the bacteria, so eating it in cooked dishes, such as pizza or pasta, can be a good way to satisfy a craving without the worry.
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Frequently asked questions
It is generally recommended that pregnant women avoid consuming blue cheese, as it is often made with unpasteurized milk, which carries a higher risk of Listeria contamination. However, some blue cheeses are made with pasteurized milk and are safe to consume.
Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium found in unpasteurized dairy products, can cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness that can be dangerous for unborn babies. Pregnant women are up to 20 times more likely to develop listeriosis, which can lead to miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, or serious illness in newborns.
Yes, there are several safe alternatives to blue cheese that pregnant women can enjoy. These include cream cheese, goat cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta, and pasteurized soft blue cheeses, such as Danish Blue or cooked Gorgonzola.
Symptoms of Listeria infection include vomiting, diarrhea, and a fever above 100.5°F (38°C). If you are pregnant and have consumed unpasteurized blue cheese, monitor your health and contact your healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms or have concerns.
