Patrick Oconnell
In the UK, most goat's cheese is pasteurised, but it is important to check the label to be sure. Pasteurisation is a process used to kill the bacteria, yeast, and mould naturally found in milk, and it is particularly important for pregnant women to avoid unpasteurised goat's cheese due to the risk of listeria contamination. Soft goat's cheeses with a rind, such as chèvre, are more likely to be unpasteurised and are best avoided during pregnancy unless cooked. Hard goat's cheeses are generally considered safe whether pasteurised or not, as their low moisture content makes it difficult for bacteria to thrive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pasteurised goat's cheese safe to eat during pregnancy | Yes, except surface-ripened/ mould-ripened cheeses |
| Unpasteurised goat's cheese safe to eat during pregnancy | No |
| Goat's cheese safe to eat during pregnancy | Yes, if cooked or hard |
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What You'll Learn
Goats cheese is pasteurised in the UK
Goat's cheese can be pasteurised or unpasteurised, and this can affect its safety for consumption, especially for pregnant women. Listeria is a risk associated with unpasteurised goat's cheese, which can cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness. The NHS lists goats' cheese without a rind as pasteurised, and therefore safe to eat, and mould-ripened soft goats' cheeses with a rind, such as Chevre, as unpasteurised and to be avoided. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that raw and surface-ripened soft cheeses are 50-160 times more likely to be contaminated with Listeria than pasteurised cheeses.
However, it is important to note that not all pasteurised goats' cheeses are safe to eat. The ripening process also plays a role in the safety of the cheese. Pasteurised goat's cheeses are generally safe to eat during pregnancy, except for surface-ripened or mould-ripened cheeses such as goat's Brie and goat's Camembert, as there is still a risk of contracting listeriosis.
Cooking can also reduce the risk of food poisoning from goat's cheese. Listeria bacteria can be killed by cooking the cheese until it is steaming hot, so cooked goat's cheese dishes, such as pizza or tarts, are typically safe to eat.
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Listeria risk
Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Listeria, which can be contracted from ingesting or inhaling Listeria organisms. Listeria bacteria can be present in unpasteurised or soft-ripened dairy products, such as goat's cheese, and can cause serious health issues, especially for pregnant people.
Goat's cheese, a popular dairy product in the UK, has been associated with Listeria contamination in the past. In 2005, Belgian authorities reported a Listeria outbreak in raw goat's milk cheese, which was caused by an asymptomatic shedder goat in the herd. This incident underscores the importance of implementing effective risk mitigation strategies to ensure the safety of dairy products.
The Listeria monocytogenes contamination in the 2005 episode was found to have significant growth during the chilling and storage of milk collected before cheese production. Additionally, the addition of starter and rennet to the milk contributed to an increase in Listeria concentration. This highlights the critical need for proper handling and processing of milk to prevent Listeria contamination.
To minimise the risk of contracting Listeria from goat's cheese or other dairy products, it is recommended to consume hard cheeses, as they have a high salt content that creates an unfavourable environment for bacterial growth. Cooking soft cheeses until steaming hot can also reduce the risk of Listeria infection. However, it is important to note that pasteurisation may not eliminate all Listeria bacteria, and cooked cheese may still pose a risk if contaminated after the early stages of production.
While the chances of encountering Listeria in goat's cheese or other dairy products are slim, it is essential to be aware of the potential risks, especially for individuals with weakened immune systems or pregnant women. By understanding the risks and making informed choices, consumers can effectively minimise their chances of contracting Listeriosis.
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Safe for pregnant women to eat
In the UK, it is generally safe for pregnant women to eat goats' cheese, as long as it is pasteurised and cooked. Unpasteurised goats' cheese may carry harmful bacteria, such as listeria, which can be dangerous during pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to check the label or ask when buying cheese to ensure that it has been pasteurised. Hard goat cheeses, which are less likely to carry bacteria, are generally considered safe, even if unpasteurised. However, it is always best to confirm with a healthcare provider.
Goats' cheese that has been pasteurised can be a good source of important nutrients for pregnant women and their babies. It provides calcium, which is crucial for building strong bones and teeth in the developing baby and maintaining bone health for the mother. It is also a source of protein and vitamin B.
When eating out, it is important to ask the server if the goats' cheese used in a dish is made from pasteurised milk. Many artisanal or imported goat cheeses are unpasteurised, so it is best to avoid these unless you are sure they have been pasteurised.
Cooking goats' cheese can also reduce the risk of listeria infection. Some people suggest that cooking removes the risk of listeria completely, while others recommend only eating goats' cheese that has been cooked until steaming hot.
It is worth noting that recommendations may vary in different countries. For example, in Sweden, the Swedish Food Safety Agency advises avoiding all types of goat cheese during pregnancy, even if it is pasteurised.
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Hard goats cheese
In the UK, pregnant women are advised to avoid soft goats' cheese with a rind, such as chèvre, due to the risk of listeria. However, other types of goats' cheese without a rind, particularly hard cheeses, are generally considered safe to consume. Hard goats' cheeses are less susceptible to bacterial growth due to their high salt content and firm texture.
Hard goats' cheeses vary in flavour, aroma, and texture, depending on their country of origin and production methods. For example, goat cheese from the United States tends to have a yeasty, wet hay aroma and a sweet, delicate flavour with hints of citrus. On the other hand, Italian goat cheese may exhibit the aroma of bread dough and a combination of yeast, stone fruit, and a chalky finish.
One notable example of a hard goat cheese is Alt Medisher from Goot Essa, an artisanal cheese house in Pennsylvania. This cheese is aged for 10 months to a full year in a cheese cave, resulting in a firm texture and mildly hard rind. Its flavour is described as a combination of lush salted butter, butterscotch, and mushroom, with an intense gouda profile. Alt Medisher pairs well with a variety of wines, beers, and charcuterie board items.
Other examples of hard goat cheeses include aged manchego, aged gouda, Bulgarian feta, and halloumi grilling cheese. These cheeses can be enjoyed in various dishes, such as grilled halloumi, a spinach and goat cheese tart, or blended into buttered noodles and other pasta creations.
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Soft goats cheese
Soft goat's cheese can be made from either pasteurised or unpasteurised milk. In the UK, most cheeses are pasteurised, but some farmer's markets may sell unpasteurised cheeses.
If you are pregnant, it is recommended that you avoid soft goat's cheeses that are made from unpasteurised milk or have a surface/white rind, as they have a higher risk of bacterial contamination. Listeria bacteria can cause an infection called listeriosis, which can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy. Listeriosis can cause serious problems in pregnancy, such as miscarriage or stillbirth.
However, soft goat's cheeses made from pasteurised milk are generally considered safe to eat during pregnancy, as long as they are not surface-ripened or mould-ripened. Surface-ripened or mould-ripened soft goat's cheeses, such as goat's Brie and goat's Camembert, have a higher risk of Listeria contamination and are not recommended for pregnant women.
It is important to note that cooking can kill harmful bacteria, including Listeria. So, if you are pregnant and want to eat soft goat's cheese, it is recommended to cook it thoroughly until it is steaming hot. Some examples of dishes with cooked soft goat's cheese include pizza, tarts, and cheesecakes.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of goat's cheese. Soft goat's cheeses made from pasteurized milk, as well as all hard goat cheeses, are usually safe for pregnant women as long as they are not surface-ripened. Surface-ripened goat's cheeses, such as goat's Brie and goat's Camembert, have a higher risk of Listeria contamination and are best avoided during pregnancy unless cooked thoroughly.
Pasteurization is a process used to kill the bacteria, yeast, and mould naturally found in milk.
Unpasteurized soft or surface-ripened goat's cheeses have a higher risk of bacterial contamination, including Listeria. Listeriosis, the infection caused by the Listeria bacterium, can lead to serious problems during pregnancy, such as miscarriage or stillbirth.
You can check the label of the goat's cheese to see if it has been pasteurized.
Yes, other pasteurized cheeses such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, paneer, ricotta, and halloumi are considered safe alternatives during pregnancy. Cooking goat's cheese until steaming hot can also reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.
