Bushra Griffith
Pasteurization is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Most of the cheese you'll find in the United States is pasteurized, and it's generally safe to eat during pregnancy. However, some people prefer unpasteurized cheese, which is legal to sell in some places, as it's considered tastier. So, is cheddar cheese pasteurized? Yes, most cheddar cheese is pasteurized, and it's safe to eat during pregnancy.
Is Cheddar Cheese Pasteurized?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safe to eat during pregnancy | Yes, if pasteurized |
| Safe to eat in general | Yes, if pasteurized |
| Pasteurization process | Heating milk to destroy or inactivate pathogenic microorganisms |
| Pasteurization temperature | 63°C to 72°C |
| Pasteurized in Canada | Yes |
| Pasteurized in the US | Yes |
| Pasteurized in Europe | No |
| Pasteurized in Mexico | Yes |
| Pasteurized by Costco | Yes |
| Cheddar cheese pasteurization | Most Tillamook cheddars are made from heat-shocked milk |
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What You'll Learn
Cheddar cheese is usually pasteurized
Most cheddar cheeses, such as the popular brand Tillamook, are made from heat-shocked milk, a form of pasteurization. Cheddar cheese is also available in aged varieties, which are generally considered safe for consumption, even if they are unpasteurized, as the aging process reduces the risk of harmful bacteria. Aged cheddars, such as Cabot Clothbound, Dubliner, Excalibur, and Old Croc, are recommended for those seeking pasteurized options.
While most store-bought cheddar cheese is pasteurized, it is important to read the labels carefully to ensure the cheese is made with pasteurized milk. This is especially important for pregnant women, as they are at a higher risk of developing listeriosis, a serious infection caused by Listeria bacteria found in raw, unpasteurized milk. Soft cheeses, which are younger and higher in moisture, are more likely to be pasteurized, as they are more susceptible to bacterial growth.
However, it is important to note that even pasteurized cheese can become contaminated with Listeria or other pathogens after production. Cross-contamination can occur when cheese is sliced or cut at a retail or supermarket deli counter. Therefore, it is recommended to buy individual blocks or bags of shredded cheese to reduce the risk of contamination.
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Pasteurization kills harmful bacteria
Pasteurization is a process that involves heating milk to destroy or inactivate pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and yeasts. It is an effective way to kill harmful bacteria and other microbes in food products, including cheese, before they reach the consumer. This process is particularly important for pregnant women, who are advised to avoid unpasteurized cheeses due to the risk of foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella, and other pathogens.
While most grocery store cheese in the US is pasteurized, it is worth noting that some soft cheeses, such as feta, mozzarella, and goat cheese, may be unpasteurized. In Canada, for example, there is no requirement to label cheese as pasteurized or unpasteurized, which can make it challenging to determine the safety of the product. However, if the cheese is made with pasteurized milk, it is generally safe to consume during pregnancy.
It is important to understand that even pasteurized cheese can become contaminated by bacteria after it is made. Secondary contamination can occur at various stages of the supply chain, such as when cheese is sliced or cut at a retail or supermarket deli counter. Additionally, flavored pasteurized milk tends to spoil faster than unflavored pasteurized milk due to the stimulation of bacterial growth by added ingredients like chocolate powder.
To ensure the safety of cheese during pregnancy, it is recommended to choose aged cheeses, as hard, dry, acidic, and salty cheeses are less likely to harbor or support the growth of harmful bacteria. Examples of aged pasteurized cheeses include cheddar, Manchego, Parmesan, and Piave. These cheeses have been aged for over 60 days, reducing the risk of bacterial contamination. However, it is important to remember that even these aged cheeses are not entirely immune to the risks of cross-contamination.
In summary, pasteurization is a critical process that effectively kills harmful bacteria in milk products, including cheese. By heating the milk to temperatures between 63°C and 72°C, pathogenic microorganisms are destroyed or inactivated, making the cheese safer for consumption, especially for individuals with compromised immune systems or specific dietary restrictions during pregnancy.
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Unpasteurized cheese may contain E. coli or Listeria
Pasteurization is the process of heating milk to a high enough temperature to kill pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and yeasts. The standard medical advice is to avoid all unpasteurized cheese, especially for those who are pregnant, young children, immunocompromised, or elderly. This is because unpasteurized cheese may contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli or Listeria.
Listeria is a bacteria that can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. Listeria is a major concern in the food industry, particularly in dairy products, as it can survive and grow under refrigeration temperatures. While healthy adults are less likely to experience severe illness from Listeria, it can still cause fever and diarrhea. For those who are pregnant, immunocompromised, or elderly, listeriosis can have more severe consequences, including miscarriage or stillbirth in pregnant individuals.
E. coli is another dangerous bacteria that can contaminate unpasteurized cheese. In 2019, an outbreak of E. coli in France was linked to cheese made with unpasteurized milk, resulting in illnesses in fifteen children and one adult. Fourteen of the children developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that causes kidney failure.
To reduce the risk of illness, it is recommended to only consume pasteurized cheese. In some countries, such as the United States, it is against federal law to sell unpasteurized milk across state lines, but this prohibition does not apply to cheese. However, even pasteurized cheese can become contaminated with Listeria or other pathogens after it is made, through secondary contamination during the supply chain. Therefore, it is important to practice safe food handling and storage practices to further minimize the risk of infection.
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Most soft cheeses are pasteurized
Pasteurization is the process of heating milk to destroy or inactivate pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and yeasts. Producers can pasteurize their milk at temperatures ranging from 63°C to 72°C. In the United States, nearly all fresh (unaged, rindless) cheese—like mozzarella, fresh goat cheese/chèvre, ricotta, or feta—is pasteurized. It also means that 99% of soft, creamy, spreadable cheeses are pasteurized. These include cheeses like Laughing Cow, Brie, Camembert, or Taleggio.
Soft cheeses are softer and higher in moisture. Microbiologically, soft cheeses are more hospitable environments for pathogens like Listeria than hard, dry cheeses. Bacteria need moisture to grow and also thrive in low-acid and low-salt environments, which is the condition of most pasteurized cheeses in the US.
In the US, soft cheeses are, by law, pasteurized. However, longer-aged cheeses, which will be firmer in texture, may or may not be pasteurized. Cheddar, Manchego, and blue cheeses are readily available in both raw and pasteurized forms. In Canada, some stores like Costco have to sell pasteurized products, so goat's cheese and feta are all pasteurized.
In Europe, they have been eating unpasteurized raw milk cheese for centuries. Pasteurization has only been used since the early 1900s. Before that, all cheese was made from raw milk. Unpasteurized cheese is still made and sold in the US, though the FDA banned interstate sales of raw milk in 1987.
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Check labels for pasteurized or pasteurized milk
When it comes to cheese, it's important to check the labels to ensure that it is made with pasteurized milk, especially if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system. Pasteurization is a process that heats milk to a certain temperature, typically between 63°C and 72°C, to destroy or inactivate harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and other pathogenic microorganisms. This process helps to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses, which can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy.
While most cheddar cheeses are made from pasteurized or heat-shocked milk, it's always good to check the labels to be sure. Some brands of cheddar cheese that are commonly made with pasteurized milk include Cabot Clothbound, Dubliner, Excalibur, and Old Croc. These brands are also readily available in many places, making them a convenient choice.
It's worth noting that the safety of cheese during pregnancy extends beyond pasteurization. Soft cheeses, for example, are more likely to harbour pathogens like Listeria because of their higher moisture content. Hard, dry, acidic, and salty cheeses, on the other hand, are less hospitable environments for bacteria, even if they are unpasteurized, as long as they have been aged for over 60 days. This is because the aging process also helps to reduce the presence of harmful bacteria.
Additionally, it's important to be aware of cross-contamination risks. While pre-packaged blocks or bags of shredded cheese may be safer in this regard, cheese sliced or cut at a deli or retail counter may have a higher risk of secondary contamination. Therefore, it's recommended to buy cheese that is still sealed in its original packaging to minimize the risk of contamination.
In summary, when it comes to cheese, checking the labels for pasteurization is crucial, especially for those who are pregnant or immunocompromised. However, it's also important to consider the type of cheese, its moisture content, aging, and potential contamination risks to make an informed decision about its safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is generally safe to eat pasteurized cheddar cheese during pregnancy. Pasteurization is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill harmful bacteria. However, always check the label to ensure the cheddar cheese is made with pasteurized milk.
Soft cheeses like feta, mozzarella, and goat cheese are safe to consume during pregnancy as long as they are made with pasteurized milk. Other safe options include ricotta, cottage cheese, and cream cheese.
Even when pasteurized, cheese can still become contaminated with bacteria such as Listeria or Salmonella during the supply chain. To minimize the risk of cross-contamination, it is recommended to buy individual blocks or bags of shredded cheese instead of cheese cut from a wheel.
When purchasing cheese, always read the labels carefully. Look for the word "pasteurized" or "made with pasteurized milk" on the packaging. If the information is unclear, ask a store associate for clarification.
